BUHARI: Release Tompolo, Okah brothers for peace in N-Delta

WARRI- THE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND,
has urged the Federal Government to suspend the charges against ex-militant
leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, release Henry Okah and
Charles Okah, both in jail in South African and Nigeria to facilitate the
peace process in Niger Delta.
The group in a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari also said that it
had constituted the final list of its Aaron Team 2 and urged government
to flag-off the commencement of the peace process by contacting the
leaders, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, SAN and HRH King Alfred Diette-Spiff.
The memo signed by spokesperson of the group, Jomo Gbomo, read: “The
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) hereby submits
the final list of members of the Aaron Team 2 dialogue, peace and
development initiative inaugurated by MEND on June 12, 2016 to find
sustainable solutions to the Niger Delta crisis.”
Members of the apolitical team include: Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, SAN
(Rivers - Team Leader), HRH King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff,
Amayanabo of Twon-Brass (Bayelsa - Deputy Team Leader &
Representative of the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group - NDDCG),
Senator Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River - Representative of all aggrieved
militant groups and communities from the Bakassi axis and. Mr. Ledum
Mitee, Esq. (Rivers)
Others are Senator Adolphus Wabara (Abia - representative of oil-bearing
communities in Abia and Imo states), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo
(Delta state), Mr. Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom), Mr. Alfred Isename (Edo)
and Mr. Timipa Jenkins Okponipere, Esq. (Bayelsa - Team Secretary).
It explained: “The Leader of the Team, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia is a
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Attorney General of Rivers state.
He is also a Chartered Arbitrator, former Minister of State for Petroleum
and former Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Ajumogobia, a man of
unblemished proven record, character and integrity is widely respected
throughout the entire Niger Delta region and he appreciates the problems
and challenges facing the region. He is therefore our Chief Negotiator in the
proposed dialogue with the Federal Government.”
“HRH King Alfred Papapreye Diette-Spiff was the first military governor
of the old Rivers State and is currently, a 1st class traditional ruler in
Bayelsa state. He is the Deputy Leader of the Aaron Team as well as the
representative of the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact Group (NDDCG).
King Alfred's immense popularity and wide acceptance across the Niger Delta
region is an asset as Government seeks to tackle the current crisis in the
region,” it added.
The group asserted: “Consequently, the NDDCG, as the name connotes,
shall serve as the contact and clearing house for all mushroom and
internet-based militant groups in the region; all aggrieved oil-bearing and
coastal communities affected by the menace of oil spillage and related
environmental challenges.”
” The NDDCG shall also accommodate all repentant Niger Delta activists,
elders and tribal assemblies who actively supported the neglect and
corruption perpetrated during the era of former President Goodluck Jonathan
but who are now ready to join hands with your Government to bring peace
and development to the region.
“However, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa from Cross River state shall be
representing all Bakassi militant groups and aggrieved communities from
that axis of the Niger Delta who see her as their mother.
“Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara is in the Aaron Team to
represent Abia and Imo states. He is widely respected across both states
and shall deploy his vast wealth of experience for the benefit of the
dialogue, peace and development initiative,” MEND stated.
Tompolo crucial for peace in N-Delta
On the inclusion of Tompolo, the group said: “High Chief Government
Ekpemupolo's inclusion in the final list was principally because of the key
role he continues to play in the Niger Delta as a notable ex-militant leader;
philanthropist; traditional title holder and mobilizer of amazing capacity. It
will therefore be counter-productive if the Federal Government ignored such
an individual who may be capable of talking to the militants in the creeks
to ceasefire.”
“We are very much aware of the pending criminal charges against
Government Ekpemupolo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC). However, we strongly advise that the charges be suspended until
after the conclusion of the Aaron Team assignment. This is to ensure that
Mr. Ekpemupolo devotes his time, energy and resources towards the
resolution of the current Niger Delta crisis without any fear of arrest,
intimidation or harassment,” it further said.
MEND continued: “Your Excellency, the MEND Aaron Team 2 dialogue and
peace initiative would not have materialized if not for the tireless work and
support of the Okah brothers - Henry and Charles who are currently in
prisons in South Africa and Nigeria, respectively.”
It said: “ It is our humble submission that the release of the Okah
brothers is a crucial factor in the peaceful resolution of the Niger Delta
crisis.”
“If Senator Ali Ndume facing terror charge for sponsoring Boko Haram
can be granted bail by the Judiciary and thereby permitted to participate in
nation-building at one of the highest levels as Majority Leader of the Senate.
Then, we see no reason why the Okah brothers that have enormous
capacity to help government end the Niger Delta crisis would still held in
prison.
“Sir, cases abound in history where prisoners were released from prison to
help save the nation in times of crises. Examples include the likes of the
Hebrew slave Joseph, who was released from prison to help save ancient
Egypt from famine.
“Nelson Mandela was also released from prison in 1990 to help restore
multi- racial democracy in South Africa in 1994. We therefore urge the
release of Messrs Henry and Charles Okah similarly as former President
Olusegun Obasanjo was released from prison to become President and help
to nurture the then nascent democracy in 1999,” MEND submitted.