Clark Condemns Quit Notice Issued to Northerners, Yorubas by Niger Delta Agitators

• MEND withdraws from PANDEF

By Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) led by Chief Edwin Clark  yesterday berated the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators for the September 10 ultimatum for northerners and Yorubas to quit the region.

Describing the ultimatum by the faceless agitators as irresponsible and reckless, PANDEF urged the people of the region and northerners as well as Yorubas to discountenance the call.

A statement signed by the Coordinating Secretary of PANDEF, Dr. Alfred Mulade, read thus: “The attention of PANDEF  has been drawn to media reports credited to a certain faceless Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators, announcing  planned attacks of oil facilities by September 10, and  asking  northerners and Yorubas to quit the Niger Delta Region before October 1, 2017. 

“This call, coming at a time when PANDEF leadership and  stakeholders had  a very useful meeting with  Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at the inter-ministerial committee on the Niger Delta, a few days earlier, is certainly not an attractive venture. Indeed, this group should know that  there is no basis for this kind of  action; it is most irresponsible, and  should be discountenanced. 

“PANDEF is committed to the attainment of peace and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region, hinged on equity and justice, by constructively engaging the federal government and relevant stakeholders, on behalf of the region. 

“A meeting of PANDEF and relevant stakeholders  has been scheduled to hold  within the next few days, to discuss the various concessions  reached with  Mr. Acting President at the inter-ministerial committee meeting,  to wit: the commitment of the federal government to  dialogue with PANDEF;  immediate take-off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko; relocation of head and operational bases of oil companies to their areas of operation  in the Niger Delta region;  inclusion of PANDEF in inter-ministerial committee on Niger Delta;  establishment of modular refineries in the region;  improved funding of intervention agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Presidential Amnesty Programme; deliberate involvement and  participation  in the oil and gas industry; surveillance and protection of oil and gas pipelines and installations;  the question of environmental remediation and Ogoni Clean-up. All these are contained in the 16-point agenda presented to President Muhammadu Buhari on  November 1, 2016, which has been adopted by government as working document for the development of the Niger Delta Region.

“PANDEF therefore wishes to  advise all law abiding persons from any section of the country, irrespective of tribe, creed or political affiliation, to remain calm, and go about their lawful endeavours, without fear of molestation,  as everything is being done to ensure  their safety and protection. 

“PANDEF therefore urges all our compatriots in the Niger Delta region, particularly the youths to remain calm, patient and patriotic, as we re-double our efforts towards the peaceful resolution of the challenges in the region, including the restructuring of the country along the lines of fiscal federalism,” it added

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has announced the withdrawal of its support and representatives from PANDEF, with effect from today, citing what it described as the commercial and political motives of the leaders and most of the members whom the group accused of using the PANDEF platform to bounce back financially and politically.

The group has, however, pledged to align with the new Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), led by Barrister Oweilaemi, stressing that it  would continue to hold in disdain the old impostors claiming to be IYC.

 The coalition of the militant groups said in a statement yesterday that its decision to withdraw from PANDEF also stemmed from the “lie told by  Clark to State House correspondents after the PANDEF volte-face meeting with the Acting President on August 3, 2017, where he said that MEND was part of the parley when the group wasn’t represented.”

The statement, which was signed by MEND’s spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, added that the group has also lost confidence in the leadership of Clark and King Alfred Diete-Spiff “who like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, still crave for power, wealth and pleasure to the detriment of developing the younger generation in leadership”.

According to the group, it was annoying working with pretenders who conspired to keep silent when Goodluck Jonathan wasted the opportunity of the region and were part of the conspiracy to suppress the voice of Henry Okah and MEND.

“Today, the East-West Road they have suddenly realised that is in need of urgent repairs is a shameful deathtrap which passes alongside oil wells and sits on top of huge gas reserves. PANDEF is demanding for the road to be completed but during the six wasted years, these same members used the dilapidated road, lost loved ones there but said nothing, engaging instead on worthless pleasures, with the Abuja residence of Clark as the rallying point,” MEND said.

MEND alleged that Clark who had direct access to his “son” Goodluck Jonathan did not advice the former President to address the root issues and develop the region.

MEND it disclosed that many sons and daughters who enriched themselves, including the current PANDEF leaders have no single viable industry built in the Niger Delta to show for it.

“The assets they have acquired are now forfeited to the region or the EFCC. Those ill-gotten assets cleverly hidden from the EFCC that we discover will be attacked and burnt to the ground. The Niger Delta is today blessed with private, State, and Federal university presence; including a maritime academy in Oron, Akwa Ibom State which was established in the early 80s. One begins to wonder if the desperation and insistence of another similar university as a top priority by PANDEF is not just a ploy to cover-up an established financial crime,” MEND explained.

MEND pledged to work with the new Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), under Barrister Oweilaemi, while disdaining what the group described as the old impostors claiming to be IYC.

“We will also cooperate with the Niger Delta People’s Congress (NDPC) and genuine militants desiring change such as the Niger Delta Greenland Justice Mandate, who have shown consistency in doing away with the old order,” MEND added.