From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Former militant leaders in the Niger Delta region have differed on the controversy surrounding the Malabu/OPL 245 scandal and moves to summon former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A member of the House of Representatives from Kwara State, Razak Atunwa had recently called on the House to invite Jonathan to answer some questions about the oil deal.
While the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) frowned at moves to invite Jonathan, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said Jonathan should be summoned to explain what he knew about the Malabu oil deal.
JRC, in a statement by Cynthia Whyte, stated that while northern leaders that allocated oil blocs to cronies were never questioned, “it is unfortunate that President Jonathan who committed himself to the pursuit of peace in the country and in the much-plundered and raped Niger Delta would be subjected to such underhand methods aimed at denigrating and disparaging his legacies.”
Condemning the moves by Atunwa, JRC noted: “We will continue to watch the unfolding process. We believe the right thing will be done when key agitating units within the Niger Delta come to an agreement on what needs to be done.”
On its part, MEND, in a statement by Jomo Gbomo, said it was compelled to lend its voice to efforts to investigate the Malabu oil deal.
According to the group, mentioning key officials of the Jonathan administration were enough grounds to demand for a thorough probe.
“We are, therefore, in full support of moves by the House of Representatives to summon the former president to appear before the House to give answers to myriad of questions concerning his role in OPL 245. Where he refuses to honour the invitation, we urge the House to invoke its inherent powers to compel his (Jonathan) appearance,” the statement said.