A chieftain of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, High Chief Mike Loyibo, yesterday, warned against using threats of militancy to harass the Federal Government to work for the region.
Loyibo, is the Convener of another Niger Delta group, Niger Delta Peoples Council, NDPC, also sent a strong warning to leaders of the South East to call their son, Nnamdi Kanu, to order before he plunges the nation into what he calls ‘avoidable crisis’.
Loyibo made the call at a news conference in Abuja. The royal activist, who described Kanu as a busybody simply looking for cheap publicity and favour, warned him not to provoke the security agencies and the judiciary by flagrantly violating his bail conditions and engaging in illegal rallies and inciting statements.
Loyibo said, “Kanu has become a public shame and he should be made to abide by his bail conditions. He is playing a game and everyone should know this. He wants security operatives to arrest him to create a crisis.
“Nobody is bigger than the nation and he should be curtailed. South East leaders should call him to order before it gets too messy.
Mr. Loyibo applauded the Presidency for the steps already taken to improve the Niger Delta and asked the people to give the government a chance to implement its development agenda for the area without intimidation.
He said that as part of the effort to transform the region, all oil companies should abide by the directive of the federal government and relocate to their areas of operations without further delay.
The NDPC convener said, “Mr. President took the right step towards a permanent solution to the age long crisis that had bedeviled the Niger Delta by constituting a high powered committee chaired by the Acting President who has demonstrated so much passion and commitment towards region.
“The Oil Companies should be compelled to relocate to the region as previously instructed by the Acting President. The Maritime University needs immediate action. There’s so much to do about the idea of modular refineries. We are tired of waiting; there is need for immediate action.
“PANDEF does not represent all interest groups in the region.
No group should engage the Federal government on lengthy talks at this time. We have gone beyond that and besides, PANDEF does not represent the interest of all the people of the Niger Delta.
“Although we agree that prisons cannot quench the voice of the struggle in the Niger Delta, we also warn that nobody should use militancy to blackmail the Federal government.
The Federal Government should go ahead to implement its programme for the Niger Delta based on its road map already carved pout.
The group slammed the Senate for not listening to the yearnings of the people by voting against devolution of power, describing the legislature as being anti-people.
On Buhari’s health, Loyibo, pleaded with Nigerians to pray for his early return to continue with his good work, particularly fighting corruption so as to put Nigeria back on the right track.
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