A group of youth leaders under the auspices of Niger Delta Youth Forum (NDYF), on Monday blast the ex-militant leader of National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators (NCNDE-A), Israel Akpodoro, over recent allegations against former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, that he is behind the activities of Niger Delta Avengers.
National Coordinator, NDYF, Hon Ben-Bara Ogidi, in a statement on behalf of the forum described the allegations as baseless and deliberate move to tarnish the former President’s image and meaningful contributions to restore peace in the region the country has enjoyed in generating huge revenue from oil and gas production in the region for the past seven years when he was vice President under late President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and when he was elected President.
Ogidi said the allegations by Akpodoro should be discarded and not taken seriously as he (Akpodoro) was out to create more problems and make his selfish gains from it.
The statement reads in part: “It is very malicious for the self-acclaimed National Coordinator of Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Israel Akpodoro, to write a statement alleging the involvement of former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in the activities of the new militant group in the Niger Delta Region, Niger Delta Avengers.
“We in Niger Delta Youth Forum, NDYF, condemn the allegations of Akpodoro, who is being sponsored to make such deliberate statements to derail the peace in the region and Nigeria, and we say he (Akpodoro) must stop his baseless statements which are all lies and nobody should believe him.
“The former President cannot be a creator or initiator of this claim by Akpodoro that ‘Niger Delta Avengers is a creation of an ex-president aimed at thwarting any efforts made by successive administrations’. It is a blatant lie to smear the personality and dignity of the former President.
“We want his family and people to warn their son and stop him from being used by enemies of Niger Delta and those who wants to throw Nigeria into chaos.”
The group also in the statement urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to handle the renewed attacks in the region with care by meaningfully engaging the identified group, Niger Delta Avengers, through dialogue instead of using military might to address the issue, which could escalate the hostility developing in the region.
“The Niger Delta region has been a region of peace and treasure base of the nation. It is also unfortunate for these attacks, but we urge President Muhammadu Buhari to engage the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, in dialogue instead of using the military because it will cause more hostilities”, the statement added.
