….Constitutes dialogue team headed by Ajumogobia
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, has urged the
Federal Government to drop the charges against ex-warlord, High Chief
Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and free Henry Okah and Charles Okah,
both in jail in South African and Nigeria.
According to MEND, this is only way to facilitate the peace process in the
oil rich but troubled Niger Delta region.
This is contained in a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari , saying that it
had constituted the final list of its Aaron Team 2 and urged government to
kick-start the peace process by contacting their leaders, Mr. Odein
Ajumogobia, SAN and HRH King Alfred Diette-Spiff.
MEND’s spokesperson , Jomo Gbomo in the memo said: “The Movement for the
Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) hereby submits the final list of
members of the Aaron Team 2 dialogue, peace and development initiative
inaugurated by MEND on June 12, 2016 to find sustainable solutions to the
Niger Delta crisis.
‘’Members of the apolitical team include: Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN
(Rivers –Team Leader), HRH King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff, Amayanabo
of Twon-Brass (Bayelsa – Deputy Team Leader & Representative of the Niger
Delta Dialogue and Contact Group – NDDCG), Senator Florence Ita-Giwa
(Cross River – Representative of all aggrieved militant groups and
communities from the Bakassi axis and. Mr. Ledum Mitee, Esq. (Rivers)
Others are Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia – representative of oil-bearing
communities in Abia and Imo states), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo
(Delta state), Mr. Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom), Mr. Alfred Isename (Edo) and
Mr. Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, Esq. (Bayelsa – Team Secretary).
“The Leader of the Team, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia is a Senior Advocate
of Nigeria and former Attorney General of Rivers state. He is also a
Chartered Arbitrator, former Minister of State for Petroleum and former
Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Ajumogobia, a man of unblemished proven
record, character and integrity is widely respected throughout the entire
Niger Delta region and he appreciates the problems and challenges facing
the region. He is therefore our Chief Negotiator in the proposed dialogue
with the Federal Government.
“HRH King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff was the first military governor of
the old Rivers State and is currently, a 1st class traditional ruler in
Bayelsa state. He is the Deputy Leader of the Aaron Team as well as the
representative of the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group (NDDCG). King
Alfred’s immense popularity and wide acceptance across the Niger Delta
region is an asset as Government seeks to tackle the current crisis in the
region.
“Consequently, the NDDCG, as the name connotes, shall serve as the contact
and clearing house for all mushroom and internet-based militant groups in
the region; all aggrieved oil-bearing and coastal communities affected by
the menace of oil spillage and related environmental challenges.
” The NDDCG shall also accommodate all repentant Niger Delta activists,
elders and tribal assemblies who actively supported the neglect and
corruption perpetrated during the era of former President Goodluck
Jonathan but who are now ready to join hands with your Government to bring
peace and development to the region.
“However, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa from Cross River state shall be
representing all Bakassi militant groups and aggrieved communities from
that axis of the Niger Delta who see her as their mother. Former Senate
President Adolphus Wabara is in the Aaron Team to represent Abia and Imo
states. He is widely respected across both states and shall deploy his
vast wealth of experience for the benefit of the dialogue, peace and
development initiative’’.
MEND said Tompolo was pivotal in the entrenchment of enduring peace in
N-Delta saying that his inclusion in the final list was principally
because of the key role he continues to play in the Niger Delta as a
notable ex-militant leader; philanthropist; traditional title holder and
mobilizer of amazing capacity.
‘’It will therefore be counter-productive if the Federal Government
ignored such an individual who may be capable of talking to the militants
in the creeks to ceasefire.”
It added: “We are very much aware of the pending criminal charges against
Government Ekpemupolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC). However, we strongly advise that the charges be suspended until
after the conclusion of the Aaron Team assignment. This is to ensure that
Mr. Ekpemupolo devotes his time, energy and resources towards the
resolution of the current Niger Delta crisis without any fear of arrest,
intimidation or harassment’’.
Continuing, the group said: “Your Excellency, the MEND Aaron Team 2
dialogue and peace initiative would not have materialized if not for the
tireless work and support of the Okah brothers – Henry and Charles who are
currently in prisons in South Africa and Nigeria, respectively.
“ It is our humble submission that the release of the Okah brothers is a
crucial factor in the peaceful resolution of the Niger Delta crisis. If
Senator Ali Ndume facing terror charge for sponsoring Boko Haram can be
granted bail by the Judiciary and thereby permitted to participate in
nation-building at one of the highest levels as Majority Leader of the
Senate. Then, we see no reason why the Okah brothers that have enormous
capacity to help government end the Niger Delta crisis would still held in
prison.
“Sir, cases abound in history where prisoners were released from prison to
help save the nation in times of crises. Examples include the likes of the
Hebrew slave Joseph, who was released from prison to help save ancient
Egypt from famine.
“Nelson Mandela was also released from prison in 1990 to help restore
multi-racial democracy in South Africa in 1994. We therefore urge the
release of Messrs Henry and Charles Okah similarly as former President
Olusegun Obasanjo was released from prison to become President and help to
nurture the then nascent democracy in 1999’’.