by Iyobosa Omoregie
Former Commander, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, Chief Ateke Tom, says the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan will not lead to a resumption of hostilities in the Niger Delta region.
This is contrary to the recent statement of another Niger Delta militant leader, Dokubo Asari, who stated that the end of the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, may signal the relaunch of the struggle of the people of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking in Okrika Local Government Area, Rivers State, on Monday, Ateke said the region will enjoy peace and anyone who attempts to threaten the peace should be treated as a common criminal.
He said: “I heard some people saying that youths in the region might go back to the creeks soon. Well, I want to say that nobody will go back to the creeks because there is no reason for anybody to resume hostilities in the region. Anybody who makes any move to threaten the peace should be treated as a common criminal because there is no reason for that in the region again.”
Speaking further, Ateke advised the President-elect against revoking the pipelines surveillance contracts awarded to youths in the region.
He maintained that the youths were in a better position to secure the pipelines from vandalisation.
“My advice is that Buhari should not cancel it. We are taking care of the pipelines and we are taking care of them very well. If he cancels the job, I don’t see who else can do it better. We are the owners of the area and are more familiar with the terrain. So, he should allow us continue to do the job for the country.”
Well let there be peace, if cancelling it will bring trouble pls don’t , but if not do the needful. Remember already oil prices have fallen around the world, if we has crisis in the Niger delta again then this Government will not have any money to work with. Bottom line GMB use wisdom don’t be offensive minded.
Why will Buhari retain the contract? GEJ claimed that we lose 400,000barrel of crude oil per day since 2013 till date and despite this bogus contract, the theft continued unabated. It was a shame ab intio that such contract was awarded despite the size of our security agecies in Nigeria. In a civilized far less corrupt clime no head of state will do what GEJ did. How can you create a parallel security outfit if there were no hidden agenda?
While we all agree it is the duty of our security agencies to handle, we should also not forget that the security agencies were there when the theft was still being carried out but could not do much bcos of the terrain. The only option was to give to these locals who had no jobs thereby disengaging them from crime too. Now the country is broke according to them, and this is bcos of too much monies borrowed to equip the military and fight boko Haram. If new Government cancels their job and it results to another crisis in the Niger Delta my brother this Government will not see monies to work. we cant afford any four years of lamentations. Bottom GMB should use wisdom to handle these people.
Bunch of criminals…. I wonder how someone just have the liberty to open his big round to threaten the peace of the country whenever he feels like…. He should be put in his place once nd for all. Idiot!!!
At eke and Asari are both the same. They are working together to keep the contract and warm against its cancellation.
Is all about interest. Once Buhari cancels the contract, Are keen and Asari will join forces and then hostilities resumes.
Let no body be deceived by this open disagreement
Which way Nigeria?
Which way to Go?