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[Daily_Champion_(Lagos)]
****** Nigeria: Protests - Ex-Militants Re-Group to Defend Jonathan ******
Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu
19 April 2011
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Abuja — TENSION rose in some areas of the federal capital city yesterday as
information filtered in that ex-leaders of Niger Delta militant groups have
converged somewhere in the creeks preparatory to storming Abuja in an event the
post-election protests in parts of the north spreads into Abuja, the nations
seat of power.
Some residents of highbrow areas like Maitama and Asokoro were seen panicky
rushing home as information reached them.
The ex-militants, Daily Champion gathered from very authoritative sources
converged yesterday for an emergency meeting aimed at balancing terror in a
coastal town off Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
According to our sources, the meeting is being called to articulate a proper
response to the ongoing violent protests in the north against the victory of
President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Amnesty Office, which has been coordinating activities of the ex-militants
and working hard at rehabilitating then, could not confirm the details of the
meeting.
However, its spokesperson, Henry Ugbolue, said he has also heard that the
former leaders are converging in Port Harcourt for the emergency meeting but
could not confirm its authenticity.
"I also heard that the leaders are meeting this evening somewhere around Port
Harcourt, but I don't have the exact details. However, you know that the
Amnesty Office does not regulate their movement or decree for them when to
meet. They are free citizens of this country and they have the right to meet at
any time or venue they so chose," he said.
It would be recalled that barely 48 hours to the presidential election, the ex-
militant leaders met in Abuja where they pledged their support for President
Jonathan.
They had also warned that the amnesty programme and indeed peace in the Niger
Delta would be endangered if Jonathan failed at the polls.
The ex-militants had urged Nigerians to empower President Jonathan to continue
his transformation of the country arguing that such would be an indication of
an end to the marginalization of the Niger Delta region and its full
integration into the country.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the ex-militant leaders
comprising of Chief Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a. Gen. Tompolo), Chief Ateke
Tom, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, Chief Bibopre Ajube (a.k.a. Shoot At Sight), General
Ezekiel Akpasibewei, Farah Dagogo, Africa Ukparasia and Paul Ezizi
(a.k.a.Comdr. Ogunbos) said the region had sacrificed a lot for the unity of
the country urging Nigerians to support her in the bid.
Other who signed the communiqué include Pastor Reuben Wilson, Joshua Macaiver,
Ferdinand Amaibi (a.k.a. Busta rymes), Tamunegiyeifori Proby (a.k.a. Egbele),
Kenneth Opusinji (kula Community), Kile Selky Torughedi (a.k.a. Gen.Young Shall
Grow), Bonny Gawei, Aboy Muturu, Hendrick Opukeme, Paul Bebenimibo, Chief
Dennis Otuaro, Gomoh Ekiyou, Saibakumo A.E, Wilson Gbaire, Andabafa Opunamah
and Soboma Jackrich.
In the statement they reiterated their "total support for Dr. Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan to become Nigeria's elected President for the next four years. We are
urging all Nigerians irrespective of their language, religion, zone or ethnic
group to support and vote massively for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in next
Saturday's Presidential election given that he is glaringly the best candidate
among the persons currently contesting for the nation's topmost political
office.
"Our call for support for Dr. Jonathan is also hinged on the fact that within a
short period in office (less than one year), he has delivered on virtually on
the promises he made to Nigerians. He has stabilised power supply across the
country; he has achieved electoral reform and even a review of the
constitution; and he has placed the nation's economy on sound footing."
"The Niger Delta has given its best and all to Nigeria. We do not therefore
think that asking for support for a qualified son of the Niger Delta to become
the President of Nigeria for next four years is asking for too much. Convinced
that the Niger Delta deserves to be given this opportunity, we wish to let all
Nigerians know how much we crave to be treated as equal partners in a nation
that we have put in so much to nurture. We believe that next Saturday offers
Nigeria a golden opportunity to cement the bond that binds every component of
Nigeria together as one united, indivisible and indissoluble nation," they
stated.

Copyright © 2011 Daily Champion. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
Global Media (allAfrica.com).
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