Meeting Of Ex-militants Been Called Off

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A meeting of former militant leaders called by leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo has been called off. Tompolo explained, yesterday, that he summoned the meeting slated for Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, because of the overpowering pressure mounted on him and other MEND leaders by ex-agitators and other beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme.

“While a few see the delay in the payment of their monthly stipends in the light of the need for the current government to settle in properly, others see the delay as a template to stop the programme. The expulsion of some students (home and overseas) by their schools and training institutions particularly has heightened these fears,” Tompolo explained.

“I am compelled to clarify issues as they relate to the meeting of the leadership of ex-agitators under the platform of MEND and other organizations summoned at my instance.

“The nation would recall that in the build- up to the Amnesty offer of the late President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, there was hesitance on the part of most of Niger Delta agitators until God in His infinite mercy granted me wisdom to provide leadership.

“The nation will also recall that under the Amnesty programme as inherited by the immediate past president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, relative peace was enjoyed even as security of lives and property was enhanced to an appreciable level. Also, oil production increased from 700 barrels per day to 2.5million barrels per day. Put simply, hitherto aggrieved Niger-Delta youths, who inadvertently became agitators, upon the acceptance of the Amnesty offer, refrained from armed agitation to face normal urban life.

“Nonetheless, while some of us understand to an extent, the apparent delay in the continued payment of the monthly stipend to the ex-agitators in view of the seeming scrutiny of government agencies, including the Amnesty Office by the current administration, same cannot be said of the majority of beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.

“To this extent, some of us, particularly me and other leaders have been under intense pressure from ex-agitators, commanders, individuals, parents and guardians as well as communities who are beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, called for the postponement of the parley, saying he would meet with the ex-militants to discuss the burning issues affecting them.

“Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has called for the postponement of the proposed meeting of the leaders of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta, earlier scheduled for this Saturday, 25th of July, 2015 in Yenagoa by them. The governor will meet with them soon to discuss issues as they affect the ex-agitators and others issues of overall strategic interest of the region and the nation as a whole,” a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, read.

The governor called for “the understanding and cooperation of all concerned.”

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