-“MEND is not recognized by the Federal Government as the spokesperson for the militants” – Abbe
The Federal Government of Nigeria has rejected the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) demands to enter into negotiation “to oversee a transparent and proper disarmament process that conforms with international standards, as the current disarmament process is flawed and lacks integrity”. But Defence Minister General Godwin Abbe swiftly rejected MEND’s moves, saying
the Federal Government would not adjust its October 4 amnesty deadline and would not enter into any new negotiations.
With about a week to go before the Federal Government’s amnesty offer for Niger Delta militants expires, MEND said yesterday that Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka would lead three other eminent Nigerians on its behalf to dialogue with the Federal Government on its amnesty programme.
MEND’s spokesman Jomo Gbomo said in an online statement that a four-man team tagged as the “Aaron team’’ would mediate between it and government. He mentioned the other three members of the team as former Chief of General Staff Vice-Admiral Mike Akhigbe, retired Maj.-Gen. Luke Aprezi and Dr Sabella Abidde.
Gbomo quoted the Book of Exodus 3: 9-10 from the Holy Bible, which reads: “…I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
The MEND statement said the eminent Nigerians had accepted to dialogue on behalf of the organisation with the Federal Government, “whenever the government realises the need to adopt serious, meaningful dialogue as a means to halting the violent agitation in the Niger Delta. The eminent persons will be known as the Aaron Team and have our mandate to oversee a transparent and proper disarmament process that conforms with international standards, as the current disarmament process is flawed and lacks integrity.”
The statement said MEND also nominated Ms Annkio Briggs to liaise on its behalf with the eminent persons, “who have volunteered their time in a bid to bring a just and lasting peace to the Niger Delta’’.
However, General Abbe said, “As you notice, Mr. president and the vice president, the governors of Niger Delta Region, Ministers of Niger Delta Ministry, myself and other senior government officials have been deliberating in the last couples of hours and reviewing the amnesty programme and after looking at the various aspects, we have now come out with the conclusion that all the militants who have embraced the amnesty deserve commendation as patriots of this country. Between now and 4th of October, if there are other militants who are still in doubt as to the sincerity of government to make use of this opportunity by embracing the amnesty because after 4th of October the amnesty terminates. There will be no extension. Government is firm, is resolute and government will continue with subsequent aspect of the rehabilitation and reintegration of all those who have embrace amnesty.”
He said “MEND is not recognized by the Federal Government as the spokesperson for the militants, that is if they exist at all physically. MEND cannot choose for the Nigerian nation. If MEND decides to test the will of government and choose to threaten the very existence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the government is prepared to express the sovereignty of Nigeria in all its ramifications.
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