Faction Of MEND Dissociates Self From Tompolo's Meeting

A faction of the outlawed militia group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Friday, dissociated itself from the meeting of field commanders and various factions of MEND being convened by its former Grand Officer Commandant, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

This came as Tompolo explained the rationale behind the meeting which have since heightened tension of resurrection of insurgency in the Niger Delta region.

In a statement by its traditional spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, the group said that the purported meeting of “MEND/Ex-MEND Leaders” scheduled to hold on Saturday, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State was a gathering of “dubious contractors and disgruntled elements”.

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The statement said; “MEND wishes to state categorically that the proposed meeting is merely an assembly of dubious contractors and disgruntled elements, reacting on behalf of oil thieves and corrupt officials of the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan.”

MEND however reiterated its support for President Buhari and his government's courage to probe the immediate past Goodluck Jonathan administration, saying the government should also include the office of the Ex-President, the former First Lady as well as the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme.

MEND also reiterated its commitment to the Niger Delta struggle which , it said, has no relationship with seeking political appointments, power or contracts.

Meanwhile, Tompolo in a statement sent by his media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, has made clarification on why he was conveying a meeting of all the ex-militant leaders.

According to him; “ in the build up to the Amnesty offer of the late president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, there was hesitance on the part of most of Niger Delta agitators until God in His infinite mercy, granted me wisdom to provide leadership.

“The nation will also recall that under the Amnesty programme as inherited by the immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, relative peace was enjoyed even as security of lives and property was enhanced to an appreciable level.

“Also oil production increased from 700 barrels per day to 2.5million barrels per day. Put simply, hitherto aggrieved Niger-Delta youths who inadvertently became agitators, upon the acceptance of the Amnesty offer, refrained from armed agitation to face normal urban life.

“Nonetheless, while some of us understand to an extent, the apparent delay in the continued payment of the monthly stipend to the ex-agitators in view of the seeming scrutiny of government agencies, including the Amnesty Office by the current administration, same cannot be said of the majority of beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.

“To this extent, some of us, particularly myself and other leaders have been under intense pressure from ex-agitators commanders, individuals, parents and guardians as well as communities who are beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.

“While a few see the delay in the payment of their monthly stipends in the light of the need for the current government to settle in properly, others see the delay as a template to stop the programme.”

He however said that the purported expulsion of some students (home and overseas) by their schools and training institutions particularly has heightened fears in the Niger Delta region.

According to him; “hence, I thought it wise that a meeting of the collegiate leadership of the platform under which we operated as agitators could be convened to appraise the situation and possibly, explore means to douse the tension that is growing among the disarmed youths whose stipends (training allowances and tuition fees) have been delayed for months.

“This becomes more compelling in view of the fact that as leaders of the platform that served as midwife to the Amnesty offer, we owe the nation a duty to play our roles in order to stem a relapse of the relative peace in the Niger Delta Region.

“Therefore, I consider it unfortunate that a section of the Nigerian Nation and the media have chosen to mischievously thread the path of misinforming the public and right thinking persons by linking the meeting to whatever decision the current government at the centre may have taken in relation to the stoppage of the pipeline surveillance contract, even though payment have not been made for the services rendered in the renewed contract, or termination of appointments. This is highly provocative and despicable.

“The tension generated by the meeting is uncalled for, diversionary and mischievous as no evil is intended in whatever form.

“We appreciate the pressures being mounted by leaders from the region especially as some have expressed concern that the meeting could be misinterpreted to mean the resurgence of hostilities in the region; we say, it is not.

“However, we take into account the fact that having embraced peace and remained supportive of various governments at all levels including the President Mohammadu Buhari's government, we are surprised that a meeting of ex-agitators could prop anxiety.

“Hence, we shall ensure our genuine intentions are reflected in our attitude towards peace, security and development of the region. Calling off today's meeting can also be an option if need be, in order to strengthen our belief in a peaceful Niger Delta.”