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Some former
warlords of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)
yesterday held an emergency meeting following the outbreak of riots in
some part of the country over the outcome of last Saturday’s
presidential election.

The meeting blamed
what they called “disgruntled politicians and crises-profiteers” for
the crisis, saying the masses of the north are as marginalised as their
counterparts in the southern part of the country. They also promised
not to promote any retaliatory actions in the south-south.

“We condemn, in
very strong terms, the post-election violence being perpetrated and
sponsored in parts of northern Nigeria by disgruntled politicians and
crises-profiteers. We regard the outbreak of violent protests as
uncalled-for, barbaric and very retrogressive,” the group said at the
end of the meeting. “But we dare assert that this sponsored violence
does not in any way mirror or reflect the inner feelings of the
overwhelming majority of the northern masses. The northern masses, just
like their brothers and sisters in the south, particularly the Niger
Delta, are victims of years of misrule under the same persons
orchestrating the post-election violence across the north.”

A source at the
meeting said all former leaders of MEND and some former insurgent
fighters, as well as activists in the Niger Delta, were present at the
meeting held at Gbekebor Creek in Burutu local government area of Delta
State. Other selections of ex-combatants also met in Lagos and Abuja.

Declaration

The former
militants said the northern masses suffered similar deprivation as
their southern compatriots and thronged the voting centres in their
respective wards last Saturday to vote for change. “We are calling on
the international community as well as all men and women of good
conscience to promptly prevail on this political jobbers who are
stoking the embers of war across the north to sheath their swords,
given that the consequences of their action would most likely endanger
the unity of this country,” the group said. “We are piqued that, for
once, an eminently qualified Niger Deltan has won the freest and
fairest presidential election in Nigeria and some crises-profiteers in
the north are sponsoring violent protests. It is so sad and
regrettable.” The group also called on security agencies to secure the
lives and properties of all Nigerians in all parts of the country so as
to avoid the escalation of the post-election crisis.

Declaring their
support for the victory of Mr Jonathan and enjoining other Nigerians to
defend his mandate, the former militants warned that if a Niger Deltan
cannot be accepted to legitimately govern Nigeria, they shall not allow
a non-Niger Deltan to rule over resources found in the area.

“We console those
who have lost loved ones and heard-earned property and pray that the
good Lord who aided the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as the popularly
elected President of Nigeria will replenish their loses in record
time,” the group said.

The meeting was attended by Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo);
Ateke Tom; Asari Dokubo; Bibopre Ajube (aka Shoot At Sight), Ezekiel
Akpasibewei, Farah Dagogo, Africa Ukparasia, Paul Ezizi; Reuben Wilson,
Joshua Macaiver, Ferdinand Amaibi; Tamunegiyeifori Proby; Kenneth
Opusinji; Kile Selky Torughedi; Bonny Gawei Aboy Muturu; Hendrick
Opukeme; Paul Bebenimibo; Dennis Otuaro; Gomoh Ekiyou; Saibakumo Wilson
Gbaire; Andabafa Opunamah, and Soboma Jackrich.