Politics PDP Crisis: Former Niger Delta Militants Order Atiku to Apologize to President Jonathan

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Former militant leaders in the Niger Delta have declared former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, persona non grata in the region for spearheading the split in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and threatening to stop President Goodluck Jonathan’s bid for a second tenure.

According to The Nation, the former warlords drawn from all nine states of the Niger Delta made the declaration after a meeting under the aegis of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI) in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State yesterday.

President of the group, Reuben Wilson, addressing journalists in Port Harcourt after the meeting said, “It is unfortunate that Atiku who has benefitted so much from the Niger Delta oil is leading dissidents in a political coup against the first southerner to ever ascend the seat of president of Nigeria”.

“We are aware of his vast business interest in the Niger Delta and we are warning him in his own interest to stay off the region. He cannot be enjoying our oil money and at the same time use the same money to fight the owners of the oil”.

“What we thought we would be hearing from the north was how the federal government will implement the spirit and letters of the amnesty programme.

“Before former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, died, he had promised that as soon as we dropped our arms and allow an unhindered flow of oil from the creeks, we will be given a lifeline. He had promised that we would be empowered to live a new life from the resources of our oil.”

“We have been waiting patiently for this to happen. Doubtless, our acceptance of peace benefitted Atiku and his ilk. Why did he not lead a campaign for the federal government to provide the empowerment tools? Why has he found it convenient to distract the president from rendering service to Nigerians?

“We dare say that they have misfired. What we expect Atiku to do in the next seven days is for him to apologise to the president for the public embarrassment. He has misled so many people, including the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi who has abandoned governance in his state to follow the anti Jonathan apostles.

“We are also asking Amaechi to return to his senses and disassociate himself from the northern agenda of destroying Jonathan; otherwise we will also be compelled to declare him an enemy of the people”.

Atiku’s spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, however dismissed the threat.

He said: “Atiku has devoted his life to defending democracy in Nigeria and will not be prevented or deterred from visiting any part of this great country”.

“Throughout his long career in business, he has maintained strong ties to the Niger Delta and employs thousands in the region. He will continue to passionately defend democratic values and his work to improve the dignity and lives of all Nigerians”.
 
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