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Now, Avengers Ready For Talks
The dreaded militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, yesterday, agreed to a conditional ceasefire in the Niger Delta region.
The rampaging group, which has claimed responsibility for several attacks on oil installations in the region, took the decision following candid plea by monarchs and leaders of the Niger Delta, who appealed to the militants, to stop further hostilities.
The monarchs and elders of the region who made the plea during a stakeholders meeting in Warri, Delta State, on Friday, said the call for ceasefire was to allow them negotiate with the Federal Government genuinely.
Disclosing the group’s affirmation to temporary ceasefire, spokesperson of the Avengers, Mudoch Agbinibo, however, said the group will continue to observe, and will continue its fight, if the negotiation fails.
Agbinibo said, “The struggle has always been a pan-Niger Delta one. We also know the anti-Niger Delta elements are using some disorganised characters from the region to scuttle the efforts to restore the essence of our humanity: Resource control and self-determination.
“But we promise to fight more for the Niger Delta, if this opportunity fails. Therefore, we will give our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders that tacit support to go to the dialogue table with the Federal Government and the multinational oil companies, whenever the enabling environment prevails.
“We are going to support any collective/negotiation team emerging from Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders’ conference to engage the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“Most of the frameworks and objectives are clearly stated in various reports, declarations and recommendations of the likes of the Sir Henry Willinks minority rights reports of pre-independence Nigeria (1957-8), the Kaiama Declaration, the General Alexander Ogomudia report, the Ledum Mittee-headed Niger Delta Technical Committee report, and other reports, which suggested restructuring to fiscal federalism.
“We have resolved to reject any idea of the peace of our times; we want the peace with honour this time around! Our advice to our Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders is that, whenever this inhuman project called Nigeria and her government is ready for dialogue/negotiations with them, this mandate should be treated with care and caution.
“We are going to continue the observation of our unannounced cessation of hostilities in the Niger Delta against all interest of the multinational oil corporations. But we will continuously adopt our asymmetric warfare during this period, if the Nigerian government and the ruling APC continues to use security agencies/agents, formations and politicians to arrest, intimidate, invade and harass innocent citizens, suspected members of the Avengers, and invade, especially Ijaw communities,” the statement added.
Earlier, indications had emerged last Friday, that all hopes seems not lost in efforts to resolve the crisis in the Niger Delta region, as there were signals that the militant groups have agreed to work with the negotiating team set up by the traditional rulers and leaders of the region to dialogue with the Federal Government.
The Tide recalls that leaders and traditional rulers from the six coastal states in Niger Delta, last Friday, had set up a negotiation team to meet with the Federal Government on behalf of the militants in the region.
A communiqué issued after the one-day stakeholders’ meeting at the PTI Conference Centre, Effurun, Warri, Delta State, signed by the Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and read by Prof. G.G. Darah, called on the militants to stop further attacks on oil facilities.
The negotiation team, whose members were not immediately disclosed in the communiqué, had since Friday commenced contacts with both the Federal Government and the militants, and has restated its commitment to speak on behalf of the various militant groups in the region.
The communiqué indicated that the leaders also resolved to push for the restructuring of the country in line with the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference held in Abuja.
The meeting further resolved to establish a pan-Niger Delta Platform that could speak on behalf of the region.
The communiqué read, “Any platform for talk and negotiation should be all-embracing, involving all the ethnic nationalities and interest groups in the region to holistically address the problems.
“The meeting also resolved to support the popular demand for the restructuring of the nation’s political system as recommended by the 2014 National Conference. The practice of equitable fiscal federalism is a precondition for sustainable peace and development of our country,” it added.
The Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who was among the dignitaries at the stakeholders’ meeting, urged traditional rulers and leaders in the region to wake up to the responsibilities of prevailing on youth to cease further attacks on oil facilities.
The attacks, the governor said, were having serious negative impact on the environment even far more than what oil companies operating in the region had caused.
Okowa explained that though the grievances of the people were not out of place, but taking arms to destroy national assets sited in the region was condemnable.
In his remarks, Chief Edwin Clark said, the meeting was convened because of the tension building in the six coastal states of the Niger Delta as a result of high presence of military men.
Those who spoke at the occasion, including youth and women leaders, called for the demilitarization of the Niger Delta, re-opening of the Maritime University, dialogue with the Federal Government, restructuring of Nigeria as ways of ensuring enduring peace in the region.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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