MEND Denies Azizi –We ‘re Not Assassins

Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku (middle), with the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the President, Dr. Doyin Okupe (left) and the Special Adviser to the President, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye, during the briefing on the nation's external reserves at the National Press Centre, Radio House, Abuja, yesterday.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND),
has advised Nigerians and particularly the media to disregard the pathetic
attempt at propaganda by a so-called Comrade Azizi and his statements, which
are not authentic statements from MEND.

In a statement yesterday by Jomo Gbomo, MEND clarified that
contrary to claims by the so-called Azizi, “Mr Henry Okah is not and has never
been viewed as leader or founder of MEND but rather known as a sympathiser and
supporter of our cause”.

According to MEND, “our fighters are freedom fighters who
are fighting for justice, the emancipation of the Niger Delta and control of
our God-given resources and not assassins as stated by this so-called Comrade
Azizi”.

Gbomo stated that, “our struggle is not and has never been
about the disintegration of Nigeria or a North and South fight as canvassed by
the so-called Comrade Azizi.

“With regard to the trial, judgement and sentencing of Okah
and other Niger Delta indigenes,” MEND said that, “we will issue a formal
statement in due course stating our views and plans for the future”.

He indicated that “the MEND would once again strongly urge
all Nigerians and the media to disregard any statement from this Azizi”.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku,
said in Abuja on Sunday that it would be wrong for any group to foment trouble
in Nigeria as a result of Henry Okah’s conviction in South Africa.

A South African court convicted Okah for his involvement in
the Oct.1, 2010 bombings in Abuja.

After the court’s judgment, the Movement for the
Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) threatened to attack South Africa and cause
trouble in Nigeria.

Maku said it would be wrong for any group or individual to
have anything against Nigeria as Henry Okah was tried and convicted in South
Africa.

He appealed to Nigerians to be law-abiding, in order to
promote economic growth in the country.

The minister also stressed the need to sustain the peace in
the Niger Delta, noting that the amnesty programme was on course.

“Anything you do against your country is not a plus.

We call on those making threats to commit themselves to the
laws of the land to allow the peace that has reigned in this nation over the
couple of years and the amnesty programme not to be breached.

“We call on our citizens to cooperate with the president to
stabilise peace and, indeed, ensure you contribute to the development of the
country,’’ he said.