(By Ben Dunno – WARRI)
Militant separatists Niger Delta Avenger (NDA) have issued a statement distancing itself other radical separatist groups like “Movement for the Emancipation of Niger-Delta” (MEND) and “Reformed Niger-Delta Avenger” (RNDA), essentially delegitimizing these groups following its acceptance of negotiation talks offered by the federal government.
The NDA in a statement signed by its spokesman, Brig. General Mudoch Agbinibo, said that MEND and RNDA are hijacking the legitimate struggle for Niger Delta interests.
“We wish to use this medium to warn those using rogue platforms like the defunct so-called MEND, RNDA – Cynthia Whyte especially Charles Okah who is franchising these internet based banditry from his prison cell, through Victor Ebikabowei Ben (Boyloaf), Timipre Silva, Selekaye Ebikabowei, Ayirimi Emani, Michael Johnny, Governor Adams Oshiomole to please inform those their paymasters that the days of doom are here,” the statement reads.
“That those sold and bought up interests from around the corridors of power cannot arm-twist the NDA with bandits, drug addicts, illegal bunkerers, bank robbers and disorganised characters to derail the Niger Delta struggle.”
On dialogue with the federal government, NDA said that the decision to talk with the government was arrived at based on the mediating role
played by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, notable Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders both within and outside the country, stressing that whatever dialogue with the government must be witnessed by some of these credible leaders who sincerely have the genuine interest of the region at heart.
“We are going to support any collective/negotiation team emerging from the Chief (Dr.) Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders conference to engage with the federal government of Nigeria, representatives from the home countries of all multinational oil corporations and neutral international mediators that will be focused on achieving the short, medium and long term frameworks and objectives to de-escalating conflicts in the Niger Delta.”
The group cautioned that: “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 the dialogue table with the government and the Multinational oil Corporations whenever the enabling environment prevails.”
