The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta (MEND) rose from a meeting in Warri, Delta State, yesterday warning Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, South-south governors, among other Presidential aspirants, to forget about ruling the country.
Militants also yesterday attacked Brass Oil Export terminal belonging to Nigerian Agip Oil Company where they kidnapped four foreign oil workers and killed two Nigerian youths.
In what appears like a dramatic ideological somersault, MEND, a coalition of the militant groups in the Niger-Delta, at the end of the meeting also resolved to henceforth work for the return of Presidency to the North.
MEND, which is about the most dreaded of the Niger-Delta coalition of militant groups, has been hitherto known for its hard-line posture in the agitation for an end to the �criminal neglect� of the region vis-�-vis perceived political injustice, which has resulted in �the zone having not produced a Nigerian political head in its 46 years despite the area being the source of over 90 percent of the country�s wealth.�
Paramount among the resolutions is the call on governors from the South-south geo-political zone that are currently campaigning for a ticket to succeed President Olusegun Obasanjo to forget about their ambition till at least 2011.
At least 18 presidential aspirants of Northern extraction were also advised to abandon their ambition for 2007 presidency, so as to �pave the way for the emergence of a candidate and president who is nationally acceptable to the rest of Nigeria.�
The list of those advised by MEND to forget their presidential aspirations include ex-military leaders, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and General Ibrahim Babangida, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Umaru Musa Yar�Adua, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, Dr. Adamu Mu�azu and Mrs. Sarah Jibril.
The MEND meeting yesterday coincided with a gathering in Calabar, Cross River State, of leaders of the South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA), for the burial of national political and socio-cultural heroine, Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Ekpo and dialogue with about a dozen presidential aspirants from the South-South geo-political zone.
A leader of a faction of the SSPA, Chief Edwin Clark, told newsmen in Warri early in the week that the Calabar meeting would afford the group an opportunity to dialogue with the presidential hopefuls on the need to harmonise their campaign in order for one of them to emerge as President in 2007.
However, the MEND statement yesterday said it�s over 50 affiliate groups have decided to resist the 2007 presidential bid of the aforementioned politicians form the North because of their �antecedents�, which the coalition said now �haunt them and project them as political liabilities.�
The coalition, in the 10-page statement, said the meeting resolved to back the former military administrator, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (retired) �with a proviso that the Vice-President should come from the core of the Niger-Delta.�
MEND hinged the decision to back Marwa on what it called the ex-MILAD�s track-record of assistance towards the amelioration of the ecological, educational and social problems of the Niger-Delta people when compared with the contributions of the other spirants form the North.
�The political arm of the Consultative Assembly of MEND, sequel to entreaties made by Dr M.B. Marwa, has had extensive contacts and dialogue with him, who has accepted in principle the Niger-Delta Manifesto,� observed the statement reportedly circulated to about 40 oragnisations including local and international media.
Signatories to the document, which was actually dated December 2, 2006, include: �Gen. Joshua Bob-Manuel; Commander Preye Andabafa; Chief Samson Gbenewei; Chief Oghene-ochuko Ogaga; Commander Tive Utikpe; Lt.-Col. Omawumi Jacobs; Chief Tamuno Briggs and Chief Ndiedem O. Abang.
Meanwhile, in a dare-devil raid, Niger Delta militants in the early hours of yesterday attacked the multi-billion dollar Brass Oil Export Terminal and Tank Farm belonging to Italian oil giant, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), and disarmed the Naval and Army personnel on guard duties before abducting three Italians, a Japanese oil worker and killing two Nigerian youths.
The NAOC facility operation lasted about 15 minutes but nothing was destroyed while oil production was not disrupted.
The commandos came in three speedboats which they moored at the terminal jetty before entering the facility to abduct the expatriates.
The ease with which the operation took place was said to have confounded security operatives as the facility was well guarded by about 100 naval and army personnel.
Following reports that the commandos were within the facility, Brass youths were said to have mobilised to prevent the abduction, but in the ensuing gun battle, two of them (youths) were killed and several others wounded. One of the commandos shot was whisked away by his colleagues.
THISDAY gathered that the abductors and their victims were sighted along the Nembe creek heading towards Rivers State.
When contacted, the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Restore Hope, Brig. General Alfred Ilogho, confirmed the attack but said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
Also contacted, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, confirmed the story but he however could not confirm the number of casualties.
Dec82006