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Coalition of Ethnic Nationalities Cautions FG Against Use of Military in Warri
Crisis

Vanguard (Lagos)
NEWS
September 11, 2003
Posted to the web September 11, 2003

By Adedapo Akinrefon

THE Coalition of Ethnic Nationalities of Nigeria (CENN) has called on the
Federal Government to de-emphasise use of military action in resolving the
Warri crisis. At a meeting held in Lagos yesterday, the CENN also called on
government to initiate wide-ranging consultations with people at the
grassroots.
Leader of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, at the meeting,
denied the involvement of OPC in the killings that have ravaged the oil city.
He said that: "Without any iota of equivocation, I, Dr. Frederick Fasehun,
declare that the OPC has no hand whatsoever in the killings and dislocations
that have ravaged Warri, and everybody should take that as official, the truth
and nothing but the truth. And OPC has no purpose of taking part in this
modern-day tragedy that is rooted in the ethnic chauvinism of the past. OPC,
like other members of the Coalition of Ethnic Nationalities, wants this
unnecessary "civil war" in Warri to end, and end today."
Dr. Fasehun also suggested that Warri be accorded the status of a federal
territory like Lagos and Abuja and that there should be the establishment of a
permanent Joint Consultative Forum to monitor the situation in the area, in
order to nip potential crisis in the bud.
The CENN in a communique released at the end of its deliberations said that
Federal government should de-emphasise the use of military actions in the
warring zone and that it was not against the creation of LGs in the area but
that the government should look more into the grassroots of the crisis. The
group also said that the Federal government should 'indigenalise' the oil
companies as most of the people of Warri are usually side-lined when it comes
to appointment. It also noted that there should be construction of road
networks in Warri.
The group enjoined the State government to be neutral in resolving the crisis
while it should create jobs for the youths. The youths, it further said, should
be educated. It called for a Judicial Commission of Enquiry set-up by the
government to look into the crisis.
The CENN pledged to garner facts by setting-up a fact finding committee which
would invite all relevant stake holders in order to find a lasting solution to
the crisis in Warri.

   

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