…with juicy contracts, board appointments
Indications have emerged about how President Goodluck Jonathan
secured the endorsement of the exmilitant commanders in the Niger Delta for his
reelection bid in 2015.
secured the endorsement of the exmilitant commanders in the Niger Delta for his
reelection bid in 2015.
Findings by National Mirror showed that Jonathan was able to
persuade some major ex-fighters in the region to support his second term agenda
through financial gratifications running into millions of dollars and award of
multi-million dollar contracts, especially in the oil industry.
persuade some major ex-fighters in the region to support his second term agenda
through financial gratifications running into millions of dollars and award of
multi-million dollar contracts, especially in the oil industry.
The move was to stem the tide of criticism against his
re-election by his kinsmen in the oil-rich belt.
re-election by his kinsmen in the oil-rich belt.
It was learnt that the Presidency also promised to renew the
multi-million dollar oil pipeline surveillance contracts awarded to the
ex-militant commanders at the inception of the present administration.
Investigation showed that the Presidency assured them that the
oil pipeline contracts, which expired in December 2012, would be renewed by the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
oil pipeline contracts, which expired in December 2012, would be renewed by the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
It will be recalled that N2.2bn, being part of the largesse to
the militant leaders in Rivers State, was stolen by an ex-senator from Bayelsa
State (names withheld), who served as a consultant for the group and a
prominent ex-fighter from Rivers State (names withheld).
the militant leaders in Rivers State, was stolen by an ex-senator from Bayelsa
State (names withheld), who served as a consultant for the group and a
prominent ex-fighter from Rivers State (names withheld).
The former lawmaker and the ex-militant have gone underground
while the beneficiaries of the funds, including the leader of the defunct Niger
Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo; Chief
Ateke Tom, Egberi Papa, have reported the development at the Presidency.
while the beneficiaries of the funds, including the leader of the defunct Niger
Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, NDPVF, Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo; Chief
Ateke Tom, Egberi Papa, have reported the development at the Presidency.
Reliable sources told National Mirror that the Presidency
pleaded with Asari-Dokubo and Tom to play down the theft of the money to stem
the negative image it would generate for the Presidency.
pleaded with Asari-Dokubo and Tom to play down the theft of the money to stem
the negative image it would generate for the Presidency.
The Presidency also reportedly assured the beneficiaries that it
would find a way to compensate them over the loss. National Mirror recalled
that Asari-Dokubo, Tom and others recently protested the eligibility of
Jonathan for re-election in 2015.
would find a way to compensate them over the loss. National Mirror recalled
that Asari-Dokubo, Tom and others recently protested the eligibility of
Jonathan for re-election in 2015.
The ex-militants, who later met in Lagos under the aegis of the
Izon-Ikemi, warned that the re-election of Jonathan in 2015 was doubtful
because of his gross incompetence and failure to find solutions to the
development and security challenges in the country, especially in the region.
The President, worried by the action of the ex-militants, reportedly sent
emissaries to them to stop the attack on his person and office.
Izon-Ikemi, warned that the re-election of Jonathan in 2015 was doubtful
because of his gross incompetence and failure to find solutions to the
development and security challenges in the country, especially in the region.
The President, worried by the action of the ex-militants, reportedly sent
emissaries to them to stop the attack on his person and office.
The government’s team include the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih; the Ijaw
National Leader and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark; the
former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and the former
Minister of Aviation, Alabo Graham-Douglas.
Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih; the Ijaw
National Leader and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark; the
former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha; and the former
Minister of Aviation, Alabo Graham-Douglas.
The Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Ogiadhomhe, also
met with Asari-Dokubo in Abuja in February, urging him to sheathe his sword and
to prevail on his colleagues in the Niger Delta struggle to back the second
term aspiration of their kinsman in the Presidency.
met with Asari-Dokubo in Abuja in February, urging him to sheathe his sword and
to prevail on his colleagues in the Niger Delta struggle to back the second
term aspiration of their kinsman in the Presidency.
Specifically, it was revealed that the Ijaw leaders met with
their young folks in Lagos, where they impressed it on them that their scathing
criticism of Jonathan was sending dangerous signals on the eligibility and
qualification of Jonathan for a second term ticket to other parts of the
country.
their young folks in Lagos, where they impressed it on them that their scathing
criticism of Jonathan was sending dangerous signals on the eligibility and
qualification of Jonathan for a second term ticket to other parts of the
country.
National Mirror learnt yesterday that Anenih, Clark,
Alamieyeseigha and Graham-Douglas brokered a truce and facilitated several
meetings between the protesting ex-militant leaders and President Jonathan.
President Jonathan later met with Asari-Dokubo, Tom and others in Abuja, where
they worked out the terms for truce.
Alamieyeseigha and Graham-Douglas brokered a truce and facilitated several
meetings between the protesting ex-militant leaders and President Jonathan.
President Jonathan later met with Asari-Dokubo, Tom and others in Abuja, where
they worked out the terms for truce.
It was gathered that Asari- Dokubo and Tom at their meetings
with Jonathan complained that he had consistently accorded one of their
colleagues, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo, preferential treatment
in the scheme of things.
with Jonathan complained that he had consistently accorded one of their
colleagues, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, alias Tompolo, preferential treatment
in the scheme of things.
They lamented that Tompolo had been highly favoured in the award
of juicy contracts and appointment into key offices at the federal level at the
detriment of others.
of juicy contracts and appointment into key offices at the federal level at the
detriment of others.
They were uncomfortable that Jonathan allowed Tompolo to
constitute the board and management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency, NIMASA, as well as solely decide on the award of juicy contracts
by the agency.
constitute the board and management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency, NIMASA, as well as solely decide on the award of juicy contracts
by the agency.
They said the trend was unacceptable to them and asked Jonathan
to redress it. They also asked Jonathan to renew the oil pipeline surveillance
contract, adding that the proceeds from the job were their only gains from his
government. The President was said to have promised that the oil pipeline and
other lucrative contracts would be awarded to them besides financial
gratifications to elicit their commitment into his re-election bid.
to redress it. They also asked Jonathan to renew the oil pipeline surveillance
contract, adding that the proceeds from the job were their only gains from his
government. The President was said to have promised that the oil pipeline and
other lucrative contracts would be awarded to them besides financial
gratifications to elicit their commitment into his re-election bid.
An understanding was also struck that the militant commanders
would halt the campaign against Jonathan, particularly about his chances for
re-election. Also, it was learnt that Jonathan directed them to recant their
earlier positions about his eligibility for reelection and initiate urgent
media campaigns to project him favourably in the public domains. President
Jonathan assured them of adequate and commensurate rewards. Findings by
National Mirror showed that the recent activities of the ex-militants,
especially Asari-Dokubo, threatening war if Jonathan was not re-elected in 2015
was a fall-out of the understanding with Jonathan.
would halt the campaign against Jonathan, particularly about his chances for
re-election. Also, it was learnt that Jonathan directed them to recant their
earlier positions about his eligibility for reelection and initiate urgent
media campaigns to project him favourably in the public domains. President
Jonathan assured them of adequate and commensurate rewards. Findings by
National Mirror showed that the recent activities of the ex-militants,
especially Asari-Dokubo, threatening war if Jonathan was not re-elected in 2015
was a fall-out of the understanding with Jonathan.
Asari-Dokubo had at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday
threatened that Nigeria would not know peace if Jonathan was not re-elected in
2015. One of our sources said: “President Jonathan has settled with the
ex-militant leaders in the Niger Delta over his re-election in 2015.
threatened that Nigeria would not know peace if Jonathan was not re-elected in
2015. One of our sources said: “President Jonathan has settled with the
ex-militant leaders in the Niger Delta over his re-election in 2015.
He has released some huge millions of dollars to them and
promised to renew their oil surveillance contract and award other juicy
contracts to them apparently to maintain their loyalty. “Obviously that is why
Asari-Dokubo and his cotravellers are singing new tunes, they are now
threatening war if Jonathan was not re-elected as president in 2015. Was it not
the same Jonathan they claimed that was not viable for a second term in office
just in February here? It is only God that can help this country.
promised to renew their oil surveillance contract and award other juicy
contracts to them apparently to maintain their loyalty. “Obviously that is why
Asari-Dokubo and his cotravellers are singing new tunes, they are now
threatening war if Jonathan was not re-elected as president in 2015. Was it not
the same Jonathan they claimed that was not viable for a second term in office
just in February here? It is only God that can help this country.
Let them continue to make money and mortgage the future of the
country. Posterity will judge them.” Asari-Dokubo in a telephone interview with
National Mirror yesterday denied that he ever said Jonathan was not viable for
re-election in 2015.
country. Posterity will judge them.” Asari-Dokubo in a telephone interview with
National Mirror yesterday denied that he ever said Jonathan was not viable for
re-election in 2015.
He however said the criticism of Jonathan should not be
interpreted as his rejection by his kinsman in 2015, adding that the
ex-militants had not benefitted in any way from the Jonathan administration. He
said that those outside the Niger Delta, who did not feel the brunt of oil
exploration and exploitation had been awarded juicy oil blocks by the Federal
Government.
interpreted as his rejection by his kinsman in 2015, adding that the
ex-militants had not benefitted in any way from the Jonathan administration. He
said that those outside the Niger Delta, who did not feel the brunt of oil
exploration and exploitation had been awarded juicy oil blocks by the Federal
Government.
“Let people say whatever they like but my statement is very
clear. I have never said Jonathan was not viable for re-election. I only said
the way they are going, Jonathan may not be re-elected,” Asari- Dokubo added.
Meanwhile, details of a peace pact between the late President Umaru Musa
Yar’Adua and the former Niger Delta militants where the latter were to receive
among other things security, stake in the oil industry, houses, choice board
appointments, mobility and economic lifeline in exchange for laying down their
arms was revealed yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger
Delta, Kingsley Kuku. Mr. Kuku, who is also the chairman of government Amnesty
Programme said that the pact witnessed by the then former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Ahmed Yayale among other prominent Nigerians has
been breached by the government as more than 90 per cent of the agreement are
yet to be fulfilled. Kuku, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, also denied
that he never said that if President Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015, Niger
Delta will resort to violence.
clear. I have never said Jonathan was not viable for re-election. I only said
the way they are going, Jonathan may not be re-elected,” Asari- Dokubo added.
Meanwhile, details of a peace pact between the late President Umaru Musa
Yar’Adua and the former Niger Delta militants where the latter were to receive
among other things security, stake in the oil industry, houses, choice board
appointments, mobility and economic lifeline in exchange for laying down their
arms was revealed yesterday by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger
Delta, Kingsley Kuku. Mr. Kuku, who is also the chairman of government Amnesty
Programme said that the pact witnessed by the then former Secretary to the
Government of the Federation, Ahmed Yayale among other prominent Nigerians has
been breached by the government as more than 90 per cent of the agreement are
yet to be fulfilled. Kuku, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, also denied
that he never said that if President Jonathan is not re-elected in 2015, Niger
Delta will resort to violence.
According to him: “I never said that and I will never say that.
I only advocated that President Jonathan should be given a chance for a second
tenure for the region to be stable. I did not say that there will be violence
if Jonathan is not elected in 2015.”
I only advocated that President Jonathan should be given a chance for a second
tenure for the region to be stable. I did not say that there will be violence
if Jonathan is not elected in 2015.”
Other things the presidential adviser, who was then in the
delegation of the exmilitant group, said that was promised the Niger Delta
militants include the development of the new towns, coastal roads, East West
road and the reintegration programme (DDR) of which only the last two were
achieved. He said: “The late Yar’Adua agreed with Tompolo, with Boyloaf, Ateke
Tom, Father Dagogo, Asari- Dokubo all of them including Henry Okah. There was
discussion and the agreement was that the Federal Government was going to
ensure lifeline for all leaders of Niger Delta struggle.
delegation of the exmilitant group, said that was promised the Niger Delta
militants include the development of the new towns, coastal roads, East West
road and the reintegration programme (DDR) of which only the last two were
achieved. He said: “The late Yar’Adua agreed with Tompolo, with Boyloaf, Ateke
Tom, Father Dagogo, Asari- Dokubo all of them including Henry Okah. There was
discussion and the agreement was that the Federal Government was going to
ensure lifeline for all leaders of Niger Delta struggle.
That government was going to ensure economic lifeline for them.
The late Yar’Adua did posit the possibility if people were organised that the
former agitators, their leaders were going to get so organised, put into
cooperatives, get incorporated into companies and bodies and were going to be
given the opportunity to participate in the oil and gas industry in the Niger
Delta.” He however said that President Jonathan then as the vice president was
not invited to 85 per cent of the discussions.
The late Yar’Adua did posit the possibility if people were organised that the
former agitators, their leaders were going to get so organised, put into
cooperatives, get incorporated into companies and bodies and were going to be
given the opportunity to participate in the oil and gas industry in the Niger
Delta.” He however said that President Jonathan then as the vice president was
not invited to 85 per cent of the discussions.
“The Vice President of Nigeria, the number one public office
holder from the Niger Delta from the entire South and the South South was not
put in confidence of those agreements between the late Yar’Adua’s discussion
panel and our delegation,” Kuku said. He said that in exchange for laying down
arms and coming out from the creeks, “the immediate effort by the government
was that housing was going to be provided for them, mobility was going to be
provided for them, and most essentially, economic lifeline so that they don’t
return to the creeks and continue their agitation for any excuse of government
breach of commitment.”
holder from the Niger Delta from the entire South and the South South was not
put in confidence of those agreements between the late Yar’Adua’s discussion
panel and our delegation,” Kuku said. He said that in exchange for laying down
arms and coming out from the creeks, “the immediate effort by the government
was that housing was going to be provided for them, mobility was going to be
provided for them, and most essentially, economic lifeline so that they don’t
return to the creeks and continue their agitation for any excuse of government
breach of commitment.”
Source: National Mirror
