From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Ex-militant leaders have sued for peace in the Niger Delta region following rising tension triggered by disagreement involving the top echelon of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta(MEND).
The concerned ex-agitators: Aso Tambou, leader of the second phase Presidential Amnesty programme, John Esuku, national chairman of the second Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, and Julius Joseph, pioneer national chairman of the Presidential Amnesty programme in a joint statement said unfolding events in the Niger Delta region are troubling.
According to them, there are concerted and deliberate efforts to undermine the peace and security of the region due to internal squabbles.
They noted that attempts to discredit former MEND leader, Government Ekpemupolo, and his security security company, Tantita are not in the interest of the Niger Delta region.
The ex-militant leaders, therefore, called on well-meaning leaders in Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta to intervene before it is too late.
“The persistent efforts to discredit Tantita Security Services and Tompolo are not just attacks on individuals but on the stability of the entire region. Tanita Security has been at the forefront of ensuring the safety of critical infrastructure and the fight against economic sabotage. It is disheartening that instead of support, some are working to destabilize these efforts for personal gain.
“In light of the escalating tensions, we are calling on esteemed leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta—including Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, elder statesman, Pa Edwin Clark; Senator Henry Seriake Dickson; Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, president of Ijaw National Congress Benjamin Ogele Okabar, president of Ijaw Youth Council (IJC) Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri, and others—to intervene in this crisis.
‘’Failure to resolve this dispute promptly could have dire consequences for the region. The Presidential Amnesty Programme, which has been a cornerstone of peace in the Niger Delta, is at risk of being destabilized. The progress we have made in reducing violence and securing economic growth hangs in the balance. This is not just about the current disputes; it is about the future of the Niger Delta. We must rise above petty rivalries and focus on the greater good.
‘’Furthermore, we call on all Niger Deltans—traditional rulers, youth leaders, women groups, ex-agitators, and stakeholders—to rise above personal differences and work towards resolving this crisis. We urge everyone to come out of their corners, engage in open dialogue, and address the root causes of these grievances. We must act now to ensure that the Niger Delta remains a beacon of hope, stability, and progress. Let us not gloss over this crisis or underestimate its potential impact on our region’s future’’.