We will defend Jonathan with our blood", Says Asari-Dokubo

A new slant may have been introduced into the on-going mass action against subsidy removal, as some civil society groups in the Niger Delta have coalesced to rally support for the government's position.

On Thursday, Asari Dokubo, former militant leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) led a peaceful rally of a sizeable crowd, threatening to defend the position of President Jonathan. According to him, should PENGASSAN carried out its threat to shut oil production from today, he would rally former militants, to take over and ensure that PENGASSAN does not return. At the weekend, a coalition that called itself Deltans Occupy Niger Delta Resources (NDONDR), in a communiqué said it would take its resources back, by all legal means available to it.

The release signed by Ankios Briggs, President Agape Birthrights and convener of the (NDONDR) reads, "Niger Delta and oil resources found in the Niger Delta belong to Niger Delta people. All resources found in any other region of Nigeria belong to the people of such region. We call on all our Niger Delta people, for the sake of our future to look to our nearest neighbours, the Ibos for immediate and strong alliance, to enable the Niger Delta nations and the Igbo nation to face the obvious change that will come to Nigeria, in strength, justice, brotherhood and truth.

"If Jonathan, a Niger Delta son, is not good enough to govern Nigeria, the oil in his Niger Delta is not good enough for Nigeria. If the Niger Delta people are not good enough to be part of good governance in Nigeria, then our oil and gas of the Niger Delta peoples is not good enough for Nigeria."

In the South-South region and the South-East generally, most stakeholders seem indifferent on petrol subsidy removal. Dissenting voices had not been allowed to publicly air their views through peaceful demonstrations. It is difficult to assess the true position of the common man from the area.

Those who attempted to demonstrate were either threatened with "no work, no pay" or coerced by the law enforcement agencies to stay off the streets in their own interest. Despite such intimidation, some angry protesters still prang into major roads in Edo and Delta states to register their grievances.

However, in Bayelsa, the home state of Jonathan, protesters alleged that they were denied their rights to peaceful procession on the streets to register their disappointment and disapproval of the federal government's subsidy removal.

At first, the reason adduced for shutting out the protesters who had earlier been granted police permit, was simply given as the political tension in the state and the fragile state of security in the nation which could be hijacked by hoodlums to cause trouble.

Consequent upon thus, the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress and its counterpart, Trade Union Congress ordered their members to observe their protest by sitting quietly in their homes while their officials went out to monitor and ensure strict compliance with the strike directive.

A few days, however, some ex-militants seeking inclusion into the amnesty programme, stormed Yenagoa, protested along the Major Chief Melford Okilo way in total support of the federal government's action.

The protest was staged barely 48-hours after some prominent figures from the South-South took sides with government on the matter and even alleged a plot to assassinate the president and some eminent persons in his administration.

The ex-militants led by one Julius Joseph, marched through the city in support of the fuel subsidy removal from the Opolo area of the state capital to terminate at the Government House gate under the watchful eyes of the police.

According to them, Nigerians must begin to see that Jonathan is trying hard to secure their future from poverty, hunger and captivity of joblessness. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the policy is established.

Before the foregoing, the Ijaw leaders, under the aegis of South-South Leaders' Forum, led by Chief Edwin Clark, had met with a resolve to queue behind Jonathan on the removal of fuel subsidy while they accused anti-subsidy promoters from other regions of the country of plotting the downfall of their kinsman.

Expectedly, also the helmsman of the Niger-Delta Volunteer Force, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, on air to show his support for subsidy removal, warning those against the Jonathan administration to stay clear or face a stiff opposition from people of the oil-rich region.

In the estimation of the former militant, the move of many Nigerians against the federal government was meant to discriminate the leadership of a helpless minority of Ijaw decent, as such he (Dokubo) threatened to personally spearhead the northern region mass protest to defend their son from the arrogant northern majority whom he claimed want to make the country ungovernable.

Dokubo seems to believe that the fight was merely beyond subsidy removal which he described is in the best interest of the entire society, and so does the Ijaw Youth council who in recent times have under different shades advanced reasons for their stand on the issue.

Vice President of the IYC, central zone, Rawlings Ezetu, who denied that their support for Mr President was based on ethnic affiliation, rather, "we are supporting the president because the policy to remove subsidy would benefit every one of us".

Also speaking to Sunday Trust, the national leader of the ex-militants seeking inclusion into the amnesty, General Ramsey Umukoro, said despite their predicament, they were pro-subsidy and urged Nigerians to embrace the policy.

Umukoro whose group recently blocked and caused a traffic snarl along the Lokoja-Abuja highway, told our correspondent on telephone that he was totally in agreement with the rally held Friday in Yenagoa as a mark of their support for the federal government on the subsidy removal.

When asked if the protest was intended to curry Jonathan's sympathy to have them included in the amnesty programme, the ex-militant refused to admit. Instead, he noted, "it is in the interest of the whole country, we have taken time to analyse the policy and have seen that it is good if we (Nigerians) can brave it. In a short while, we shall reap the dividends".

A human rights activist, Morris Alagoa, however differs in his assertion about the manner in which the civil society groups were disallowed protest whereas those supporting the government posture were escorted by the police to stage a protest.

"This is the beauty of democracy, a scenario where people are allowed the expression of their views on national and regional issues of public importance. Sadly, while the pro-subsidy removal groups were allowed to occupy the roads in Yenagoa, those of us who saw things from a different angle were obviously disallowed by the same police who gave them cover.

"We are fully aware that Mr President is an Ijaw and from Bayelsa State, and that has made some of us not to see beyond ethnic interests on this national matter. While Nigerians from all walks of life would have had no problem with the fuel subsidy removal by the federal government, other national indices such as corruption in the oil industry, poor management of the nation's resources at all tiers of government render the policy unacceptable to majority of the people and that is why the Civil Liberty Organisation and other civil society groups in the state are not in support of the removal of fuel subsidy", Alagoa said.


http://dialogueseriesnew..com/2012/01/usa-africa-dialogue-series-nigerian_15.html

lol what is he talking about people are striking against GEJ, they did not say they will kill him.

Quote: "If Jonathan, a Niger Delta son, is not good enough to govern Nigeria, the oil in his Niger Delta is not good enough for Nigeria. If the Niger Delta people are not good enough to be part of good governance in Nigeria, then our oil and gas of the Niger Delta peoples is not good enough for Nigeria."

This here is why Nigeria ends in 2015 i.e. if we make it till then. For this not to happen would require rather serious efforts by all and sundry to restructure this eye-sore of a continent.

Northern Women's group support fuel Subsidy removal (ChannelsTV news).  

edited!!!

did you mean they support or oppose?

Kobojunkie:

Northern Women's group fuel Subsidy removal (ChannelsTV news).  

I don't know where anyone said because he is Ijaw or Niger deltan - they are against fuel subsidy removal LOL

Its not an ethnic Issue at all. The people marching n Lagos come from All over naija.

Majority of people dont even disagree with subsidy removal if it was done tastefully, even Obj increase price SIX TIMES over 8 years, because he knows the Domino effect it has on Civil society and Economy,

GEJ- is either VERY DU.MB or something he's getting bad Advice from those who want to see his downfall.

He is a Big mumu

If you have read many of GEJ's supporters on this forum you won't be surprised at these statements. If you don't accept what GEJ says or does then you are anti-Ijaw. Unfortunately, GEJ's actions/speeches suggest such reasoning is not limited to this irritants - it seems to go all the way back to the powerbase.

sbeezy8:

I don't know where anyone said because he is Ijaw or Niger deltan - they are against fuel subsidy removal LOL

Its not an ethnic Issue at all. The people marching n Lagos come from All over naija.

Majority of people dont even disagree with subsidy removal if it was done tastefully, even Obj increase price SIX TIMES over 8 years, because he knows the Domino effect it has one Civil society and Economy,

GEJ- is either VERY DU.MB or something he's getting bad Advice from those who want to see his downfall.

He is a Big mumu

Ijaws now know their enemy outside: the core North
They now also know their enemy closer home: Yoruba.

Now I know he is a mad man. What are we asking for? Was it the ND people that elected him? Who cares where he comes from? Just do your job well and all will be well.

This is getting ridiculous !!! Why so much feudalistic fervour in defense of a President who should be seen as the leader of all Nigerians? Is this what we will go through for the next 3 years? Some are forgetting that power is transient but memory, especially when negative precedents are set, tend to endure.

See this Asari wey Obj been pocket

dustydee:

Now I know he is a mad man. What are we asking for? Was it the ND people that elected him? Who cares where he comes from? Just do your job well and all will be well.

As far as he's concerned, only the ND votes mattered.The SW and SE votes were wasted.

A je gbodo n'we ni kun ra.

Nchara:

Ijaws now know their enemy outside: the core North
They now also know their enemy closer home: Yoruba.

Beaf,labaran,Asari,kuku and Abati,all of them  are just doing their job.Well done boys,uncle jonathan is proud of you.

Asari dokubo or what ever shit name he is called is a low life nincompoop who does know his left from his right other than to carry weapon, I must say he is a big disappointment to his generation. Now to the statement credited to IYC and MENDE, it shows the level of intellectual poverty that is yoked into their brains that the low life imbeciles can even think any more before they talk.

For their information, this is a fight against economic and social injustice in and not against Jonathan Goatluck. Get it into your brains you stupid slugs. This is a fight to save the future of Nigeria and that of our children.

meanwhile, I was in a meeting with a lady from Rivers state, and she confidently told me that 10,000 naira is being shared to youths in the Niger Delta to rally support for GEJ on his policy regards the removal of fuel subsidy,

says so much about nigeria that, what's essentially a bunch of thugs can challenge the country in this way.

Now I'm lost.  

Some called it a 'fuel subsidy protest'

To others an anti corruption campaign or whatnot

Whilst further afield, it is a push to cut government cuts . . .

Now some illiterates with oil greased palms have come forward to defend a potentially inept President

Which is it abeg

Nchara:

Ijaws now know their enemy outside: the core North
They now also know their enemy closer home: Yoruba.

lol, how can Yoruba be your enemy and you wanted Wole Sotinka to be your mediator during crisis. Have you forgotten these same Yoruba matched on the street of the same Lagos to make sure this same GEJ was confirmed Acting President when Yar Adua would not be declared dead by his people?

Asari has entered the  circle of govt courtesy amnesty programme. He enjoys anything enjoyable from the govt therefore he can spew anything out of his mumphed mouth.

I learnt he just came back from hajj on govt sponsorship, no wonder he is so vocal in his support of gej govt. Unfortunately, he does not mind the rest of his poor ND people wallow in abject poverty. NDeltan, be wise. Don't listen to Asari who is eating from govt purse while you sweat to survive in your creeks.

Nchara:

Ijaws now know their enemy outside: the core North
They now also know their enemy closer home: Yoruba.

Keep deceiving yourself. Yoruba is not your enemy, just dont attack us. If you do, we'll attack back.

if jonathan is more nd than nigerian why is he called nigerian president
secondly its like he has his own parrel army
god deliver us from jonathan

Later these 'mofos' will start kidnapping expatriates and complain about how bad they are being treated,I.e no road, no food, no job et al. Whereas they have the opportunity to change all dat now and they are bleeping it. Now quoting OBJ, 'I dey laff', *crossing legs and watching*.

Remii:


lol, how can Yoruba be your enemy and you wanted Wole Sotinka to be your mediator during crisis. Have you forgotten these same Yoruba matched on the street of the same Lagos to make sure this same GEJ was confirmed Acting President when Yar Adua would not be declared dead by his people?

Many of then forget it is this same Tunde Bakare and the SNG who marched to rescue GEJ from under Turai's skirt  

koruji:


This here is why Nigeria ends in 2015 i.e. if we make it till then. For this not to happen would require rather serious efforts by all and sundry to restructure this eye-sore of a continent.

It is not as easy as people see them. The war that will break out if Nigeria splits will be the greatest genocide in history. Not less than 40 million people will die including the so called militants and politicians

Asari no fit do shyyt!!  tell am go sit his downcreek a s s somewhere, na boko be da mainstream terror now.

[img]http://eof737.files./2011/11/biafra_map.png?w=500[/img]

theres your solution jus declare it. No need for war. Until you do we will complain for we are all Nigerians.

Asari of course you would pay with your blood for the number of innocent ppl you have killed and used for juju. U think God is sleeping.
This same govt you support today would betray you tomorrow.

So let me see if I have this right.

In a nutshell, unless you are from the Niger Delta, you are not permitted to protest against any policies by GEJ.

The ordinary rights one is supposed to have in a democracy are forfeit, since the oil in the ND belongs to the residents of the same.

Is this correct?

So let us accept this logic of Dukubo and co temporarily.

My question for you all, will you let someone squeeze your balls over cash?

Ben Franklin had something to say about situations like this. And his advice I think is quite apt.

ekt_bear:

So let me see if I have this right.

In a nutshell, unless you are from the Niger Delta, you are not permitted to protest against any policies by GEJ.

The ordinary rights one is supposed to have in a democracy are forfeit, since the oil in the ND belongs to the residents of the same.

Is this correct?

So let us accept this logic of Dukubo and co temporarily.

My question for you all, will you let someone squeeze your balls over cash?

Ben Franklin had something to say about situations like this. And his advice I think is quite apt.

+ 10

We are circulating the findings that:

Ijaw enemy # 1 = core North (these are known enemies and so easy to deal with)
Ijaw enemy #2 = Yoruba (these are flip-flopping enemies with ever changing strategies, thus enemies difficult to deal with)

In recent times, GEJ supporters (especially from SS) have increased here on NL. This was not by accident; it was due to our efforts to draw their attention to the SW ploy and to circulate the ploy to all nooks and crannies of cyberspace. Right now, it is hot on facebook and in RL.  dey laugh oh!!!!

If in the fifhties yoruba contributed more and that did not make awolowo our leader authomatically, i really wonder what these 'irritants' are driving at. GEJ as we all know rigged himself in then, i expect them to keep shut 4 that alone.
This oil belongs to all of us, Nigerians. They can die if they want to. Shld they try anything stupid then they will leave to regret.