‘Protect N’Delta Interest In Talks’ …CSOs Warn Zonal Leaders

A coalition of civil society groups in the Niger Delta, yesterday, warned Niger Delta leaders not to promote their selfishness interests at the detriment of the overall interest of the Niger Delta region as they prepare for a proposed dialogue with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.
A joint statement made available to The Tide and signed by the President, Niger Delta Security Watch Organisation of Nigeria, Barrister Dickson Bekederemo; Coordinator – Ijaw Human Rights Monitors, Fred Brisibe; President, Ijaw Peoples’ Development Initiative, Comrade Austin Ozobo; and National President, Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade (FHRACC), Alaowei Cleric Esq; warned that it will not condone anything short of the agreed demands in resolving the ongoing battle between the Federal Government and militants in the area.
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for initiating the proposed dialogue with the Niger Delta leaders, the statement advised the Federal Government to resolve the Niger Delta problem once and for all.
The statement also reminded the Niger Delta leaders of the militants’ conditions for dialogue, which includes, “restructuring of Nigeria into six regions, a mediator by home countries of multinational oil corporations as neutral peace makers as part of their demands.
“Those who are representing the region in the proposed meeting should on no account do their own biddings other than the template suggested by the militants. Members of the Niger Delta Avengers have stated clearly that one of the templates for dialogue is the restructuring of Nigeria into six regions. We want them to note that the militants also demanded, as part of their suggested template for the dialogue is for the process to be mediated by home countries of all the multinational oil corporations as well as other neutral international mediators.
“We, therefore, urge the Pan Niger Delta group to stick to this template. Anything short of this will not be accepted by our generation. The desire of our generation is to resolve in totality the issues that have bedevilled the growth of the Niger Delta region, which has placed the people in a near slavery status. It is not our wish to bequeath to our children this pitiably slavish entity,” the group stated.
The statement further advised the Niger Delta leaders, not to accept any form of financial incentives from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, noting that their participation was a call to “service, suicidal sacrifice,” to liberate the region from bondage.
According to the statement, “The leadership of Pan Niger Delta group must not accept any financial incentives in form of hotel accommodation, feeding and entertainment from the Buhari-led administration.
“We believe that their voices will be stronger, if the piper is not being sponsored by the one he is negotiating with. This is a generational call to service, a suicidal sacrifice whose end product is to liberate the region from her decades’ woes.
“The Niger Delta people demand sacrifice from those of you, whom by divine providence, are privileged to negotiate on behalf of hapless people of the region. History will remember you if you get it right. It will be a great disservice to the people of the region if our representatives demand for any financial gratification from the Federal Government in the proposed meeting,” the statement added.

Ijeoma Gbufor