Afronline – The Voice Of Africa

Angered by the continued absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua and his refusal to transfer power to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, about 50 militant groups under the aegis of Network of Freedom Fighters in Niger Delta, NFF, yesterday, threatened to launch fresh violence in the troubled region.

Rising from an enlarged meeting in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where they deliberated on the state of the nation, the NFF warned that they were being forced to join forces and commence hostilities in the region which could prove disastrous for the country.

The NFF in a communiqué jointly signed by Nengi James and Kofi Kelvin Moses, Coordinator and Secretary respectively, called on the international community to suspend forthwith all bilateral relations and dealings with Nigeria pending the swearing in of Dr. Jonathan as Acting President while waiting for the quick recovery of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

While restating its avowed commitment to democracy, rule of law, constitutionalism and the struggle for the Niger Delta cause and national interest, the NFF communiqué reads: “we want to commend efforts of various groups and individuals like Ohaneze Ndigbo, South West Leaders Forum, Northern Union led by Chief Olusola Saraki, Save Nigeria Group led by Prof. Wole Soyinka and Femi Falana and South-South leaders led by Chief Edwin Clark for their unbiased and concerted stand towards resolving the impasse created by the continued absence of Mr. President by calling for the implementation of section 145 of the 1999 Constitution which makes provision for an Acting President.

“We warn that if the government fails to abide by the provision of the constitution we will join forces and direct our strategic units to commence hostilities which will lead to a black day for the country. We also call on the international community to suspend forthwith all bilateral relations and dealings with Nigeria pending the swearing in of Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as the Acting President while waiting for the quick recovery of Yar’Adua; else we will not guarantee the safety of foreign citizens working in the Niger Delta.”

While commending the unrelenting efforts of media owners and journalists in the country for rising to the challenge, the group urged the media to be mindful of the antics and manipulative actions of some Nigerians who were bent on subverting the constitution for their selfish interest.

Heed wise counsel, FG warns MEND

The Federal Government, yesterday, said it has received reports of threat from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, to stop its ongoing ceasefire and return to the creeks, warning the group to heed advice of the elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, in order not to truncate the existing fragile peace in the region.

Chairman of the Amnesty Implementation Committee and Minister of Defence, General Godwin Abbe who fielded questions from State House Correspondents, insisted that while the government was interested in the speedy and rapid development of the region the people must exercise patience and give it enough time to plan, design and execute developmental projects.

He warned that while all these processes were being pursued with vigour and sincerity by the Federal Government and other stake-holding institutions, it will not fold its arms and watch few elements destroy the fragile peace that took so much effort to build.

Abbe said: “I agree with the elder statesman, who is asking that the militants should continue to exercise patience, this country belongs to them. If they choose violence, they do not monopolize violence at all and it is an ill wind that would blow no one any good including themselves.

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By Daniel Idonor and Samuel Oyadongha – AllAfrica (Source: Vanguard)