The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND, has condemned the persistent feud between the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and his predecessor and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
MEND said they would not be forced to attack any oil installation in the Niger Delta region following the political crises in the state, adding that they would safeguard government assets in the interest of the nation.
The Spokesman of the body, Jomo Gbomo, in a statement in Port Harcourt. Friday, noted that the group is ready to support security operatives in safeguarding crude oil installations from attacks.
Gbomo condemned threat to crude oil facilities in Niger Delta by some ex-militants and agitators in the region, stressing that the group would not support violence associated with political disputes between Wike, and Fubara.
Gbomo said: “The threat to the economy of the country over a political dispute between two politicians who were allies is unfortunate, more so, both politicians are sons of the Niger Delta. We cannot in the present circumstance be tricked into carrying arms against the Nigerian state on behalf of any of them, not even for any price.
“As an Ijaw son, I know the gains of having an Ijaw man as governor in Rivers an achievement which would not have been possible but for collaboration of other ethnic groups. This healthy collaboration from the various ethnic groups which produced an Ijaw son as governor was spearheaded by the FCT Minister.
“On that note, we shall, therefore, offer full cooperation to the security operatives so as to ensure that individuals or groups constituting threat to smooth crude oil exploration are alongside their sponsors brought to book. If you are going for a revenge, you better dig two graves, one for yourself and one for your enemy, a word is enough for the wise.”
He, however, urged the elders and traditional institutions in the region to genuinely intervene in the lingering political crises in the state.
Vanguard
