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Tag: MEND

  • APC chieftain takes Buhari’s message to Tompolo’s turf

    The people of Gbaramatu Kingdom, one of the largest Ijaw kingdoms in Delta state, have been charged to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday to reap the full benefits the federal government has to offer.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state and coordinator of the Delta South Canvassers for Buhari, Chief Michael Johnny, who gave the charge to the people of Gbaramatu in Warri on Wednesday, said it is time for the people of the state to move away from playing opposition.

    Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area of Delta state is the home base of former warlord and leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.

    Speaking to his people during the meeting in Warri, Jonny, who is also a member of Buhari Presidential Campaign Council, said a vote for Buhari will bring more development to the kingdom, which was neglected by past PDP governments.

    “Being a member of Presidential Campaign Council of Buhari Support Groups Committee, I know that President Muhammdau Buhari will win the presidential election, I respect the fact that Gbaramatu indigenes are in different political parties but my concern is that in the next democratic dispensation come May 29, the Gbaramatu people cannot afford to be in opposition,” he said.

    He however assured that there will be peace in Gbaramatu kingdom before, during and after the elections, urging the residents to vote for Buhari and APC on Saturday, noting that Buhari is a friend of Gbaramatu kingdom.

  • Ex-militant escapes assassination

    A former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Freedom Adowei, on Wednesday reportedly escaped an assassination attempt.

    Adowei, who is also the leader of the Egbesu Generals (EG), a group of former militant leaders in the Niger Delta region of the country, was reportedly returning from a house-to-house campaign outing for the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the Ondo state capital, Akure, when he was attacked.

    According to a statement by the spokesman of the Egbesu Generals (EG), Mr Frank Ekpemupolo, and made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday, Adowei was attacked at about 3:00pm in Akure on Wednesday, adding that his assailants, suspected to be political thugs.

    Adowei and his group, the Egbesu Generals, had recently offered to mobilise the whole of the Niger Delta region of the country, especially the Ijaw areas, in support of Atiku and his running mate, Mr Peter Obi, noting that they were on the crusade as part of their own way of helping Nigeria overcome her challenges.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill policeman, abduct APC candidate

    The statement claimed that Adowei narrowly and mysteriously escaped death as his attackers rained more than 250 bullets on him and his convoy, leaving one of his followers seriously injured.

    “The Egbesu General was returning from a house-to-house campaign in support of the PDP presidential candidate in Akure when a gang of daredevil criminals, suspected to be APC thugs, attacked his convoy at about 3pm.

    “During this attack, in which more than 250 bullets were rained on the general, Egbesu miraculously saved his life and brought him out alive, but one of his followers was not so lucky as he sustained injuries for which he had since been taken to a hospital in the east for treatment”, Ekpemupolo said.

  • Malabu Oil deal: MEND backs Reps’ summon to Jonathan

    Malabu Oil deal: MEND backs Reps’ summon to Jonathan

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has hailed the decision of the House of Representatives to summon former President Goodluck Jonathan on the controversial Malabu Oil deal.
    In an online statement yesterday by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, MEND accused former President Jonathan of having questions to answer in the oil deal.
    The group urged the Federal lawmakers to compel Jonathan’s appearance.
    It said: “We are compelled by natural justice, equity and good conscience to lend our voice to the most ignoble and despicable role played by the former President in the messy affair, which has tainted the image of Nigeria, locally and internationally.
    “Like millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, who have keenly followed the OPL 245 saga, we have reasonable grounds to suspect that former President Jonathan may have indeed compromised his high office with regard to the matter, more especially, given the fact that key officials of his administration, including the then Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), have been indicted and charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
    “We are in full support of moves by the House of Representatives to summon the former President to appear before the House to give answers to the myriad of questions concerning his role in OPL 245.
    “Where he (Jonathan) refuses to honour the invitation, we urge the House to invoke its inherent powers to compel his appearance.”
    Also, the militant group said it was alarmed by reports of the planned relocation of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to Lagos, from Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.
    MEND said if it was true, the Anglo/Dutch oil giant (SPDC) should shelve the relocation plan.
    It noted that the move could reawakening restiveness in the Niger Delta region.
    MEND said: “Besides the massive loss of jobs, opportunities, taxes and other incentives the planned move (by SPDC) will cause in the medium to short term, it is (also) clear to all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, that such a move is ill-advised, especially against the backdrop of the recent directive from the Federal Government to the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to relocate to their areas of operation in the Niger Delta.
    “To be sure, the Niger Delta region is no longer hostile to the business interests of the IOCs, including SPDC, as peace has since returned to the region; following the enervating efforts of MEND, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the various state governments and the Federal Government. There is therefore no reason whatsoever for SPDC to relocate to Lagos.
    “We use this opportunity to warn that we shall reconsider the unilateral ceasefire of May 30, 2014, if SPDC relocates to Lagos.”
    While commenting on the sudden death of a Niger Deltan, Rear Admiral Daniel Teikumo Ikoli in Lagos on April 5, 2017, MEND described the ugly development as suspicious and unfortunate.
    It said: “Death is an inevitable end for all mortals, but our suspicion is fed by conflicting reports surrounding the circumstances of his (Ikoli’s) death.”
    The militant group called on the Nigerian military high command to initiate a thorough investigation into the remote and immediate circumstances surrounding the death of Ikoli, whom it described as one of the shining lights of the Ijaw ethnic nationality in the Nigerian Navy.

  • MEND backs Reps summon of Jonathan over Malabu oil deal

    MEND backs Reps summon of Jonathan over Malabu oil deal

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) on Monday hailed the decision of the House of Representatives to summon former President Goodluck Jonathan on the controversial Malabu oil deal.

    MEND, in an online statement issued by its Spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, alleged that ex-President Jonathan received $200 million as kickback from the oil deal, while urging the federal lawmakers to compel Jonathan’s appearance

    It said: “We are compelled by natural justice, equity and good conscience to lend our voice to the most ignoble and despicable role played by the former President in the messy affair which has tainted the image of Nigeria, both locally and internationally.

    “Like millions of Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, who have keenly followed the OPL 245 saga, we have reasonable grounds to suspect that former President Jonathan may have indeed compromised his high office with regard to the matter, more especially, given the fact that key officials of his administration, including the then Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, have been indicted and charged before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    “We are in full support of moves by the House of Representatives to summon the former President to appear before the House to give answers to the myriad of questions concerning his role in OPL 245 saga.

    “Where he (Jonathan) refuses to honour the invitation, we urge the House to invoke its inherent powers to compel his appearance.”

    The militant group also said it was alarmed by media reports of the planned relocation of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) to Lagos from Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    If it was true, MEND urged the Anglo/Dutch oil giant (SPDC) to shelve the idea of relocating to Lagos, stressing that the move had the likely consequence of reawakening restiveness in the Niger Delta region.

    It added: “Besides the massive loss of jobs, opportunities, taxes and other incentives, the planned move (by SPDC) will cause in the medium to short term, it is clear to all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, that such a move is ill advised, especially against the backdrop of the recent directive from the federal government to the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to relocate to their areas of operation in the Niger Delta.

    “To be sure, the Niger Delta region is no longer hostile to the business interests of the IOCs, including SPDC, as peace has since returned to the region; following the enervating efforts of MEND, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), the various state governments and the federal government. There is therefore no reason whatsoever for SPDC to relocate to Lagos.

    “We use this opportunity to warn that we shall reconsider the unilateral ceasefire of May 30, 2014, if SPDC relocates to Lagos.”

     

     

  • Niger Delta crises: ‘MEND has no confidence in Buhari’s govt’

    Niger Delta crises: ‘MEND has no confidence in Buhari’s govt’

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has “categorically and unequivocally” passed a vote of no confidence in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for allegedly not handling the Niger Delta crisis well.

    In an online statement yesterday by its spokesperson Jomo Gbomo, MEND said its decision was without prejudice to the pre-presidential election endorsement, freely and voluntarily given to President Buhari on January 6, 2015.

    The statement said: “Prior to and after his (President Buhari’s) reluctant meeting with the traditional rulers, opinion leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta region, under the auspices of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on November 1, 2016, President Buhari has been carrying on arrogantly and making controversial, prejudicial, conflicting and contradictory statements about the politics and economy of the oil-rich region.

    “Since he assumed the reins, President Buhari has always, for reasons best known to him, held the Niger Delta region in contempt, while accusing and/or blackmailing the leadership of the region of not being ready for dialogue, whereas it is the Federal Government that is not ready or willing to name a team to dialogue with the people.

    “Prior to the inauguration of PANDEF, several sessions of dialogue held between representatives of MEND, on the one hand, and those of the Federal Government, on the other hand, where concessions were secured for the release of the Okah brothers and several other political detainees and prisoners of conscience, were deceptive on the part of the Federal Government.

    “After the MEND/Federal Government dialogue, which was publicly confirmed by no less than President Buhari in his farewell remarks to Mr. Michael Zinner, the outgoing German ambassador to Nigeria, the President reneged on the agreements reached at the dialogue.

    “Following on the heels of the breach of the agreements, President Buhari personally wrote and signed a damaging and prejudicial letter to the Government of South Africa, in an attempt to wilfully truncate the ongoing peace process in Nigeria, sabotage the legal options open to Henry Okah and simultaneously influence the ongoing trial of Charles Okah and others at the Federal High Court in Abuja in favour of the Federal Government.

    “Based on the foregoing, we hereby demand that President Buhari must stop his cunning, crafty and un-statesman-like rhetoric about the Niger Delta region, as they have only served the purpose of jeopardising the fragile peace in the region and consequently direct the relevant agency of government to immediately begin dialogue with the Niger Delta region, as duly and ably represented by PANDEF.”

    MEND also told the Federal Government that all Niger Delta militant commanders and/or individuals who were tracked and arrested during a ceasefire, ahead of talks with the Federal Government, be treated well.

    The militant group also said the suspects should be allowed access to their lawyers, the International Red Cross and a delegation from PANDEF to ascertain their wellbeing and ensure they had not been tortured or killed through extra-judicial means.

  • Militancy: N/Delta Council disowns MEND, Avengers

    The Supreme Niger Delta Youth Council Worldwide (SNDYCW) has disowned the Niger Delta Avengers and the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), describing their activities as pure armed robbery

    The President General of the Council, Prince Michael Newgent Eaton, who stated this when the council, under the guidance of former Senate president, Mr Joseph Wayas, met with the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) in Kaduna on Thursday, stated that members of the MEND group and the NDA should be arrested and prosecuted.

    Ekamon said they were in Kaduna to meet with leaders and elders of the region who have served the country well and want to see that the country remain as one indivisible entity.

    “Our group is not militant group. We are here to see how we can build one Nigeria. We want to condemn the activities of the Avengers and MEND. They are criminals. But better put, armed robbers who are stealing the wealth of our land.

    “We know them. We know that some of the Avengers have served in the previous government and they are even serving in this present government.

    “If we are given the mandate, we will go and confront them in their houses.  So, we don’t want President Buhari to be deceived by their antics. There is nothing in the real sense like avengers. They are playing planks.”

    The President stated further that the problem in the region was not the problem of the Federal government, but that of the region’s leaders who have been sabotaging the region because of their greed.

    “What is it that the Federal Government has not done for the region? We have OMPADEC, NDDC, 13 percent derivation, Ministry for Niger Delta, security votes. We don’t know what our governors are doing with the security votes.”

    He said that it was based on this premise that the group was planning to hold a summit in Edo State between the 27th and 29th of October to discuss the problem in the region.

    “We are here to extend our hands of friendship to the people in this region and to seek their blessing and support. That’s why we are here with the former Senate President Joseph Wayas who has never been invited by any anti corrupt agency. We also have the blessing of former Head of state, General Gowon.”

    Responding, the chairman of the ACF, Ibrahim Coomasie, who was represented by Musa Liman, observed that the two regions have sustained a long period of friendship, adding the forum believes in the doctrine of one Nigeria where justice and equity prevail.

  • N5b libel suit against Jonathan: Why MEND supports out-of-court settlement

    N5b libel suit against Jonathan: Why MEND supports out-of-court settlement

    Govement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) has explained its support for Chief Edwin Clark’s out-of-court settlement with the Okah brothers in a N5 billion libel suit against ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    MEND, yesterday, in a statement by its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, said the out-of-court settlement was in the interest of the Niger Delta, especially at this critical point when the crude oil and gas-rich region, its key actors and stakeholders must speak as one for peace and development.

    The militant group said: “MEND endorses mediatory and conciliatory moves by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark to reconcile the Okah brothers -Henry and Charles – with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on the threat of the brothers to file a N5 billion libel suit against the ex-President at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    “Our endorsement is coming after Chief Clark held an exploratory meeting regarding amicable and peaceful resolution of the issue with the former President during the week in Abuja. Chief Clark also invited and met separately with counsel to the Okah brothers, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, on September 1, 2016 in Abuja.

    “The meetings dwelt essentially on an out-of-court settlement of the N5 billion libel suit against the former President. The meetings also dwelt on efforts to find sustainable solutions to the Niger Delta crisis.

    “We are convinced that reconciliation between the Okah brothers and former President Goodluck Jonathan is

  • MEND disbands Aaron Team 2 on talks with Fed Govt

    MEND disbands Aaron Team 2 on talks with Fed Govt

    •May recall nominees in Edwin Clark-led team after six months

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has disbanded its Aaron Team 2, its dialogue and peace initiative, headed by a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia (SAN).

    The team was to discuss with the Federal Government on how to restore peace in Niger Delta.

    MEND noted that the disbandment of the team, which was inaugurated on June 12, had affected the take-off of its Operation Moses, which it indicated had also been suspended.

    In an online statement yesterday by its spokesperson Jomo Gbomo, the arms agitators said the disbandment followed its decision to recognise and work with the Ijaw National Leader Chief Edwin Clark as the leader of a pan-Niger Delta dialogue and peace initiative.

    The group said under its new arrangement, it had nominated renowned Port Harcourt lawyer, Ledum Mitee, who is a former President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP); an eminent journalist from Akwa Ibom State, Ibanga Isine and another lawyer, Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, to work with Clark and other stakeholders.

    MEND pledged to monitor the progress of the Clark-led team while it would reserve the right to recall its nominees after six months.

    The militant group thanked those who honoured its invitation to serve and wished them well in their endeavours.

    The statement said: “We have always advocated that the Niger Delta region must speak with a single voice, under a single umbrella body. Otherwise, the much sought-after peace and development shall elude the region, again.

    “MEND is compelled to categorically warn that it is not yet Uhuru. The Chief Edwin Clark-led new initiative should realise that MEND was already in preliminary talks with the Federal Government, as confirmed by President Muhammadu Buhari himself.

    “In fact, we have so far been able to secure a number of concessions, some of which include but not limited to the release of political prisoners. We expect that Chief Clark and his team shall follow through with the rest of the dialogue and peace process.”

    The group condemned the extra-judicial killings and alleged deception by the Bayelsa State Government-sponsored militia, under the leadership of the militant group’s former Commander, Mr. Africanus Ukparasia (aka General Africa), an ex-militant, whose agreement under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) forbade him to bear arms.

     

  • Buhari means well for Niger Delta, says MEND

    Buhari means well for Niger Delta, says MEND

    The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has described President Muhammadu Buhari as a statesman who means well for the Niger Delta region.

    It also joined millions of Nigerians and the international community to applaud the visit of the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, to Nigeria.

    MEND stated these yesterday in an online statement by its Spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo.

    President Buhari, in welcoming Kerry to the State House, Abuja on August 23, pledged that his administration would not resort to the use of force to stop militancy in the Niger Delt  except it was forced to do so.

    The militant group said: “Indeed, Mr. President’s pledge to the US Secretary of State is one of the critical and strategic concessions, which MEND has so far secured from the Federal Government, in the ongoing preliminary talks to find sustainable solutions to the current Niger Delta crisis.

    “We use this opportunity to sincerely and immensely thank President Buhari for respecting one of the terms and conditions of the ongoing dialogue. By virtue of the public pledge, the President has truly shown the entire world that he is a statesman, who means well for the Niger Delta region.

    “Consequently, we also use this opportunity to urge all aggrieved militant groups in the region, including but not limited to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and the Niger Delta Greenland and Justice Mandate (NDGJM) to remain calm and patient, and more importantly refrain from attacks on oil installations, as their grievances shall be comprehensively and adequately addressed by the Buhari’s administration.”

    MEND also stated that it would ask a member of its Aaron Team 2 to meet with Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, on NDA’s invitation to him to lead its (NDA’s) team that would dialogue with the federal government. It assured members of the public that they would be duly informed about the outcome of the meeting.

  • Clark, MEND meet on Niger Delta crisis

    Clark, MEND meet on Niger Delta crisis

    Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, on Friday met with a delegation of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) in Warri, and agreed to work together.

    He denounced Thursday’s visit by some Ijaw traditional rulers to the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, as a selfish venture which had no blessing of true leaders of the Niger Delta.

    Clark, at Friday’s parley, received the representative of MEND’s Aaron Team 2, Mr. Timipa Jenkins Okponipre, who bore a letter requesting collaboration with a regional stakeholders’ forum led by the ex- federal commissioner for Information, which was assembled at a recent gathering in Warri.

    Okponipre, who is also the Secretary of the Aaron’s Team 2, read out the terms on which MEND wished the new alliance to run.

    According to him, the alliance will be led by Clark, with six other members, who would be persons of impeccable integrity.

    He said: “MEND hereby restates that it shall work with and recognize Chief Edwin Ckark as the leader of a pan Niger Delta team to engage in dialogue with the federal government and multi- national oil companies upon the following terms and conditions:

    *All the ongoing Niger Delta dialogue and peace initiatives in the region shall be carefully coordinated and warehoused under a single umbrella body to be known as the Niger Delta Peace and Development Group.

    *Only the Niger Delta Peace and Development Group shall be recognized and competent to speak, negotiate and dialogue on behalf of the Niger Delta region with all stakeholders including the federal government, the international community and multinational oil companies.

    *The group shall comprise six eminent Nigerians of impeccable character and integrity from the Niger Delta as defined by the Niger Delta Development Commission Act.

    *That Chief Clark shall be the leader of the group. MEND, in support of the group, would nominate a Secretary that would work with Clark. MEND’s nominee shall be Timipa Jenkins Okponipre. MEND also nominates Messrs Ledum Mitee and Ibanga Isine to serve as members of the group.