WARRI— MOVEMENT for Emancipation of the Niger_Delta (MEND) has alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held a clandestine meeting with some of its commanders, yesterday, (Friday, April 10) and proposed lip-smacking incentive for them if they help the party in securing the 2011 gubernatorial elections in Niger_Delta region.

According to the group in an online statement, yesterday, by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, “Some representatives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a secret meeting with commanders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) today, Friday, April 10, 2009 proposed a robust monetary and amnesty incentive if the group promises to assist the party in rigging and securing the 2011 gubernatorial elections in the Niger Delta region”.

Investigation by Saturday Vanguard, however, showed that some members of the Ijaw Youths Committee on Security and Economy of Niger_Delta,  a body set up by the  Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) met with Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State in Warri to facilitate a meeting with him on the issue of amnesty to militants and other matters, next week.

IYC president, Dr. Chris Ekiyor, leader of the Niger_Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujaheeden Dokubo_Asari ,  chairman of the IYC committee on amnesty for militants and a former president of the union, Dr. Felix Tuodolo , secretary of the IYC, Engieer Udengs Eradiri were present at the meeting with Dr. Uduaghan, yesterday.

The IYC committee had earlier met with the Governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Timipre Sylva, the two Ministers of Niger_Delta, Director of State Security Service, Inspector General of Police and others on the need to support their call for amnesty, especially as the council in February ordered militants in Bayelsa state to shut down their camps within three months to pave way for amnesty, rehabilitation and integration by government.

But Jomo  Gbomo  maintained that the deal with PDP was for the MEND  to work closely with IYC, JTF, Niger_Delta governors and others to perfect the 2011 agenda.

His words, “Under the plan, MEND would embrace the amnesty offer by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua; Demobilize and return a limited number of weapons under a buy_back program;  which will be publicly advertised but giving the public the impression it has disarmed 100 percent; _-Henry Okah and the other freedom fighters will be released;  MEND would get monthly agreed financial payments into the next 2011 administration,  as security consultants,  including lucrative oil and gas contracts;  MEND will mobilize its fighters to assist the Joint Task Force (JTF) during the 2011 election in rigging votes and commandeering ballot boxes”.

He, however, said the MEND has rejected the agenda, which he described as evil. In his words, “The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta rejects this evil agenda by the PDP and its cohorts and vows never to sell our birth right for a bowl of porridge”.

“MEND will not involve itself in political thuggery and compromise its core values for short term gains. Our focus remains the emancipation of the impoverished people of the region through the control of our resources and fiscal federalism.

“ We have resolved to suffer persecution and imprisonment instead for the sake of justice and reiterate once again our position to only a peace process that involves the United Nations, a free Henry Okah and reputable international mediators”, the group said.

Dr. Ekiyor who spoke to Saturday Vanguard after meeting with Uduaghan, yesterday, said, “IYC has no regrets for ordering the closure of militant camps in Bayelsa state because it was to pave way for development in the Niger_Delta”.

He said the  organization has not mortgaged the future of Ijaw people and would never at any time betray them, saying, “If  people do not call us names, then, you should know  we are not working, we made a call for amnesty for militants and we are following up. We did so with the Niger-Delta Technical Committee, we met the Ministers of Niger-Delta and we are following up through the committee we set up, and we have sent messages to the President on the issue of amnesty and that is why we came to discuss with Governor Uduaghan, we have not held the meeting yet, we only came to see if we can get a date”.

“People should stop blackmailing the IYC, we know we are fighting a legitimate struggle but the time has come for us to reason and move forward. The amnesty we are talking about, we don’t even know who the Federal Government wants to give it to, we don’t whether it is to those convicted or those not convicted, and that is why we also have to meet with Mr. President.

“The IYC is campaigning that Henry Okah should be released because he has not anything different from the tactics the Ijaw youths put on ground to agitate for their rights. We have to know the kind of amnesty government is offering because the government itself also needs amnesty from the Niger-Delta people it has offended by stealing their resources without paying back and the youths who have over-reacted in the way they expressed their anger also need amnesty”, he said.

On the allegation by MEND, he said, “IYC does not speak for MEND, we are not MEND commanders, MEND should discipline their commanders if they are doing the wrong thing and let me tell you one thing, IYC cannot be bought over, not even by an Ijaw governor”.

AC condemns PDP’s plan to use MEND to rig 2011 polls

The Action Congress (AC) has condemned  an alleged plan by the PDP to enlist the support of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) to rig the 2011 polls.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the expose by MEND confirms AC’s fears that unscrupulous politicians are behind the wave of violence in the Niger Delta, which has been costing Nigeria dearly in human lives and financial resources.

“We commend MEND for showing concern _ by rejecting the proposal for them to be used to sabotage the people’s right to free expression _ that they are not campaigning for cheap and individual gains but to ensure better life for their impoverished people. Of course, we may not always agree with their style.

“We ask the group to go a step further by revealing the identity of those involved in the secret meeting, so that Nigerians will know who their real enemies are. Needless to say that such people are the real candidates for treason charges, not minding that they are the ones accusing opposition parties of holding clandestine meetings.

“It is also important for Nigerians to know those who will condemn MEND by day and seek to enlist them for their dirty jobs by night; to show the dangerous strategy of the PDP Federal Government in exposing the lives of our soldiers to a great risk in the Niger Delta, even when an under-the-table effort is being made, allegedly by the same ruling party, to sabotage the gallant efforts of these soldiers,” AC said.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/33303/43/

I hope this is not true. MEND should list their names and should buy tape recorder next time.

I hope someone is sent to the gallows for treason.

I wonder how our soldiers feel.

I am not a fan of Jomo Gbomo (if anybody with that name exists)

But on this occassion I believe what he said in its entirity

I was particularly shocked on the timming of the President's offer of amnesty that it made me think there was a clandestine motive to it.

and with this revelation it has become clearer.

I hope MEND stick to there word because this cycle of (use MEND to rig election - then get into power with no plan for progress - then deploy the military to fight against MEND - and the when another election comes they want to work with MEND to rig another election) just has to stop.

it is in nobody's interest, not Mend nor the people of naija delta at least.

It wont work this time around

It is fire for fire!