The reported negotiation with the Niger Delta militants over the continued attack of oil pipelines in the region may not go on as MEND has threatened to pull out of it. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has threatened to pull out of the ongoing dialogue with the Federal Government.
The group says it will not continue talks if the FG goes ahead with plans to hold separate talks with the Niger Delta Avengers’ team led by Chief Edwin Clark.
MEND further threatened to disband the Aaron Team 2 led by Odein Ajumogobia should the Federal Government hold peace talk with the NDA.
According to Punch, the group made the statement on Tuesday through its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, who described the Niger Delta Avengers' decision to name a separate dialogue team headed by Clark as hasty, premature and capable of sending wrong signals to the Federal Government that the Niger Delta was incapable of speaking with one voice.
Although it hailed the NDA over its latest resolve to stop the attack on oil installations, MEND disagreed with the NDA on the choice of Clark to lead their team for a dialogue with the Federal Government.
MEND alleged that Clark who is almost 90, would not be able to stand the rigours of dialogue and negotiation of the Niger Delta question and is considered incapable of leading the team for negotiation.
It said, “It is imperative to emphasise that the Federal Government of Nigeria must not set a precedence of dialogue with criminals.
“If, on the contrary, the Federal Government chooses to hold a separate dialogue with the NDA team led by Chief Clark, MEND shall immediately disband the Aaron Team 2 and pull out of the ongoing talks.
“We insist that the NDA, their patrons, sponsors, supporters and sympathisers are criminals and haters of the current administration (as revealed by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers – RNDA) who must publicly renounce all forms of hostility against Nigeria. Once this is done, MEND shall embrace the NDA and their co-travellers.”
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