The return of peace to Bayelsa State is threatened by a sudden resurgence of violence.
By Bamidele Johnson
Peace, for some time a stranger to Bayelsa State, returned with the assumption of office of Governor Timipre Sylva. Through the governor’s efforts, many leaders of militant groups were taken off the path of crime via the government’s Disarmament and Demilitarisation policy.
The government also used the maiden All Ijaw Youth Summit in Yenagoa to educate youths on the negative consequences of violence. Governor Sylva followed this up by playing a key role in ensuring that the federal government accepted the clamour for amnesty for militants willing to disarm. Even this attracted criticism from opposition parties in the state, which accused the government of encouraging militancy through the payment of N100million monthly in ‘settlement’ fees to militants. The accusation was denied by the governor, who charged that payment of any sort was done by his accusers. Even in spite of the accusation, many believed that the Sylva administration was on top of the security situation in the state–until four weeks ago.
While there had been minor incidents of crime before this period, many observers are uncomfortable with the return of major criminal activities. Last week, there were reports that loyalists of the late Keniwonimo Niweigha were planning to unleash terror in the state, particularly on Odi community, over the community’s perceived treachery in assisting the Police to arrest Niweigha. Nweigha, according to the state Commissioner of Police, Onuoha Udeka, died in a gun duel with policemen, who were going to Odi to verify claims that his arms depot was in the community. The police, according to Udeka, were ambushed by militant youths, who wanted to free their leader. While alive, Niweigha was a constant threat to the community. He was said to have led the nine youths arrested and subsequently tried for the murder of 12 police officers, including an Assistant Commissioner of Poilce, Thomas Jokotola, in November 1999. The incident eventually led to the destruction of the community by soldiers. In 2005, Nweigha and his colleagues escaped from the Port Harcourt Prisons.A few days before his death, Niweigha was reported by a national daily to have boasted that he was responsible for the peace in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, where he hailed from. The militant said he achieved this through his position as the coordinator of Bayelsa Volunteers. When asked why he went around armed, Niweigha said his position made him eligible to carry arms for protection. But the state government said Niweigha was a criminal and had to pay for his crimes. Sunny Igoli, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Matters and state Coordinator of the Bayelsa Volunteers said Niweigha’s activities were intolerable. “As Bayelsa Volunteers, we work with the police to pass on necessary information and not to carry arms; Nweigha had long ceased to be a member of the outfit as he, alongside his Sagbama counterpart, who were suspended for financial misappropriation, have been sacked. He was also indicted by the SSS for carrying arms,” the governor’s aide said.
On 4 June, Mike Wenibowei, Governor Sylva’s Special Assistant on Youth and Conflict Resolution, was shot along Otiotio Road by unknown assailants. The incident led to the arrest and detention of two former presidents of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Dr. Felix Tuodolo and Emmanuel Oyinfie Jonjon. Also arrested was Famous Danumegha, a former Special Adviser to Sylva on Youth Mobilisation, who had quit the government in protest. The arrests prompted the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, to warn that a fresh round of hostilities could begin, especially if anything grave happened to the trio. Earlier on the day Wenibowei was shot, Damunegha, at a press conference, alleged that his life was being threatened and accused the government of working to get his contract with an oil company revoked. Tuodolo and Jonjon were later released on self recognition, but Danumegha was held.
According to Udeka, Danumegha had to be detained because he had questions to answer. Wenibowei was said to have told the police that he recognised Danumegha as one of the unarmed persons at the scene of the crime, where the police recovered 16 expended AK-47 assault rifle bullet shells. The police investigative team, led by Dave Akinremi, an Assistant Commisisoner of Police, said it found two pump action rifles at Damunegha’s residence. The Police, however, disclosed that the guns found were not the ones used in the attack. But by the time Damunegha was arraigned in court, the Police had dropped the charge of attempted murder in preference for that of illegal arms possession. This state of affairs raised suspicions that the Police investigation may have run into a cul-de-sac. Danumegha alleged that the guns found in his house were planted by government officials and the Police.
The state chapter of the Action Congress, AC, suggested that the government had a hand in the shooting of Wenibowei and charged the Police to bring the culprits to book. But the government described Danumegha’s claim of threat to his business as false. In a statement issued by Doifie Ola, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sylva, the government said it had no plan to ensure the revocation of his contract with an oil company. The statement further described him as a man with questionable morals and accused him of acting the script of Sylva’s opponents. The shooting of Wenibowei was quickly followed by four others, which claimed three lives. Two weeks ago, a police constable was shot dead at the OMPADEC area of the state while another youth, was also mowed down in Ovom, Yenagoa. A youth leader identified as Ebiotu was said to have been detained by the Police for raising alarm that his life was being threatened by a government official. Niger Delta Transparency Network, NDTN, an advocacy group, has meanwhile, accused the state police commissioner of being used against perceived political opponents.
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Patrick Agbobu
29 June 2009 16:57THIS AGF IS THE PROBLEM. THE AGF HAS ALWAYS PUT OBSTACLES ON THE WAY. HIS MAIN AND ONLY INTEREST IS TO PROTECT HIS FRIENDS AND BACKERS, THE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS. THE AGF WILL USE ALL AVAILABLE SHENANIGAN TO PROTECT THESE CORRUPT EX GOVERNORS TO EVADE JUSTICE. THE AGF FORGETS THAT JUSTICE, GRINDS SLOWLY BUT SURELY. HE SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT NIGERIANS ARE VERY PATIENT PEOPLE. THE AGF SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT EVERY DAY IS FOR THE THIEF BUT ONE DAY IS FOR THE OWNER. THE AGF SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT NIGERIANS WILL HAVE THE LAST LAUGH AND IT WILL BE A VERY SWEET LAUGH.
NIGER DELTA
——————————————————————————–
AMNESTY IS NOT AMNESTIA. WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE NIGER DELTA IS IMMEDIATE MASSIVE ECCONMIC DEVELOPEMENT OF THE AREA AND EMMIDIATE AND MASSIVE ECCONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NIGER DELTA. USE THE EXCESS CRUDE MONEY, USE PART OF THE EXTERNAL RESERVE, INTRODUCE WINDFAL TAX ON THE COMPANIES THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND USE THE MONEY TO PROGRESS AND DEVELOPE THE NIGER DELTA. WE NEED AN IMMEDIATE MARTIAL PLAN IN THE NIGER DELTA. PURSUE THIS MARTIAL PLAN, WITH THE SAME ZEAL, VIGOR AND ENTHUSIAZM, AS WAS USED IN BUILDING ABUJA AND ENVIRONS. NO MORE SLOGANS, NO MORE TALKS, NO MORE TITLE TATLE, NO MORE INFANTILE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE NIGER DELTA. NO MORE POSTPONNING OF ACTIONS, NO MORE PROMOSES. IF THEY ARE CRIMINALS JAIL THEM, NAME AND SHAME THEM. NAME THEIR SUPPORTERS AND COLLABORATORS. WE WANT ACTION! ACTION!! ACTION!!! AND WE WANT IT NOW! NOW! NOW!!! NOW!!!. MISS THIS OPPORTUNUTY TO RIGHT THE PAST WRONGS AND MISS IT FOR EVER. MAKE HISTORY MR PRESIDENT.
Niger Delta
——————————————————————————–
Mr. President now that you have shown good faith, you must take the next bold step. Mr. President you must now put tuor money where your mouth is.
We want ACTION, ACTION ACTION from now on. Mr. President you have taken a very bold step and you must continue as relaxing is not an option NOW.
The problem in the Niger Delta was caused by the followings,
1. The International Multi National companies in the Niger Delta. These companies operate as cow boys and with reckless abandon, They have destroyed the environment, the waters, the lands of the Niger Delta. They polluted the waters, lands and the environment and as a result, the people can not farm on their lands or fish in their waters, which is their main occupations. The people are dieing dailly of diseases, caused by the polution to the environment. These multi nationals build cheap infrastrutures like pipe lines etc., without regards to internationally accepted norms and good practices. There will never do such things in other parts of the world, where they are operating, otherwise they will pay very dearly for such horrible practices. The multi Nationals have made a lot of money from these sharp practices, at the expence of the lives of the people of the Niger Delta.
2. The next offenders are federal and state governments of all shades, both past and present, who have made lot of money by ignoring and encouraging with nods, the multi National companies to get away with murder. .
3. The third group are the so called selfish leaders, or do i say dealears of the Niger Delta, who have also made a lot of money from the sufferings of the people of The Niger Delta, Some of the them and their collaborators, sponsor the criminals, to forment and cause a lot of sufferings to the people of the Niger Delta.
4. The President must without futher delay, publish the names of those, who have been sponsoring these criminals in the Niger Delta. The President must name and shame them.
Now that you have given amnesty, to the genuine agitators, we should now have a truth and reconcilliation commitee, so that we can learn a lesson from all these.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD DO NOW!!
The federal government should introduce, a wind fall tax on the huge profits, the multi nationals made over the period and use ALL the money for the IMMEDIATE developement of the Niger Delta and the ecconomic empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta. This is what is done, even in developed countries. In Great Britain, when the Labour came into power, they introdued the wind fall tax, inorder to claw back some of the huge profits, the companies made, when the Conservative party in government, sold very cheaply all government companies during the Privatization process. ALL the money realised was used to creat new jobs and train the unemployed. This move was very popular with the British public. You should bear in mind that, most of the companies, that made the huge profits in The Niger Delta, are British and American companies. This move will be popular in Nigeria and these British and American companies will not fault it. All you have to do is, to refer them to what happened in the United kingdom.
ALL the money realised from the excess crude, which was got any way, from the Niger Delta, should be used for the immediate ecconomic development and empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta.
The federal government should draw down now, 30% of its external revenue for the immediate ecconomic developement of the Niger Delta and ecconomic empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta. The ferderal government should not give the usual excuse, that this draw down will affect the value of the naira, as this is a price that, we should pay for the peace and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria. ALL THESE MUST BE DONE NOW!! Mr. President do all these and you have solved the problems in The Niger Delta permanently. If you do ALL of these history and prosterity will remember you very kindly.
NIGER DELTA WAY FORWARD
——————————————————————————–
Mr. President now that you have shown good faith, you must take the next bold step. Mr. President you must now put tuor money where your mouth is.
We want ACTION, ACTION ACTION from now on. Mr. President you have taken a very bold step and you must continue as relaxing is not an option NOW.
The problem in the Niger Delta was caused by the followings,
1. The International Multi National companies in the Niger Delta. These companies operate as cow boys and with reckless abandon, They have destroyed the environment, the waters, the lands of the Niger Delta. They polluted the waters, lands and the environment and as a result, the people can not farm on their lands or fish in their waters, which is their main occupations. The people are dieing dailly of diseases, caused by the polution to the environment. These multi nationals build cheap infrastrutures like pipe lines etc., without regards to internationally accepted norms and good practices. There will never do such things in other parts of the world, where they are operating, otherwise they will pay very dearly for such horrible practices. The multi Nationals have made a lot of money from these sharp practices, at the expence of the lives of the people of the Niger Delta.
2. The next offenders are federal and state governments of all shades, both past and present, who have made lot of money by ignoring and encouraging with nods, the multi National companies to get away with murder. .
3. The third group are the so called selfish leaders, or do i say dealears of the Niger Delta, who have also made a lot of money from the sufferings of the people of The Niger Delta, Some of the them and their collaborators, sponsor the criminals, to forment and cause a lot of sufferings to the people of the Niger Delta.
4. The President must without futher delay, publish the names of those, who have been sponsoring these criminals in the Niger Delta. The President must name and shame them.
Now that you have given amnesty, to the genuine agitators, we should now have a truth and reconcilliation commitee, so that we can learn a lesson from all these.
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SHOULD DO NOW!!
The federal government should introduce, a wind fall tax on the huge profits, the multi nationals made over the period and use ALL the money for the IMMEDIATE developement of the Niger Delta and the ecconomic empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta. This is what is done, even in developed countries. In Great Britain, when the Labour came into power, they introdued the wind fall tax, inorder to claw back some of the huge profits, the companies made, when the Conservative party in government, sold very cheaply all government companies during the Privatization process. ALL the money realised was used to creat new jobs and train the unemployed. This move was very popular with the British public. You should bear in mind that, most of the companies, that made the huge profits in The Niger Delta, are British and American companies. This move will be popular in Nigeria and these British and American companies will not fault it. All you have to do is, to refer them to what happened in the United kingdom.
ALL the money realised from the excess crude, which was got any way, from the Niger Delta, should be used for the immediate ecconomic development and empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta.
The federal government should draw down now, 30% of its external revenue for the immediate ecconomic developement of the Niger Delta and ecconomic empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta. The ferderal government should not give the usual excuse, that this draw down will affect the value of the naira, as this is a price that, we should pay for the peace and stability of the Niger Delta and Nigeria. ALL THESE MUST BE DONE NOW!! Mr. President do all these and you have solved the problems in The Niger Delta permanently. If you do ALL of these history and prosterity will remember you very kindly.
——————————————————————————–
Patrick Agbobu
30 June 2009 13:31MR PRESIDENT I HOPE THAT THERE IS NO HIDDEN AGENDA, WITH THIS AMNESTY OF A THING. IT APPEARS THAT THE WAY YOU ARE PURSUING AND PROGRESSING IT, IS BECOMMING WORRYING AND I HOPE YOU ARE NOT UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE, FORM THE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS, AS MOST OF THEM ARE THE BACKERS AND COLLABORATORS OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IN THE NIGER DELTA. THEY ARE MAKING BLOOD MONEY IN ADDITION TO THE ONE THEY LOOTED AND STOLE FROM THE TREASURY. THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS AND THEIR COLLABORATORS STAND TO BENEFIT MASSIVELY FROM THIS BLANKET AMNESTY OF A THING. YOU SHOULD ALSO REMEMBER THE UNIFORMED PERSONS YOU SENT TO THE NIGER DELTA AS THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF NIGERIA, TO MENTAIN THE PEACE AND SOME OF THEM WERE SLAUGHTERED IN COLD BLOOD BY THE CRIMINALS.
THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS, ARE THE SAME PERSONS, WHO CLAIMED THAT THEY BANK ROLED YOUR ELECTION AND THEY ARE NOW SAYING THAT THEY WILL ALSO, BANK ROLE YOU 2011 ELECTION. MR PRESIDENT YOU MUST CLEAR THE AIR. NIGER DELTA DOES NOT WANT AMNESTY, AS AMNESTY IS FOR THOSE THAT COMMITED CRIMES, WE IN THE NIGER DELTA DID NOT COMMIT ANY CRIME BY HAVING CRUDE OIL AND GAS. I AM SICK AND TIRED OF PEOPLE PATRONISING US AND THIS MUST STOP.
AMNESTY IS NOT AMNESTIA. WHAT IS REQUIRED IN THE NIGER DELTA IS IMMEDIATE MASSIVE ECCONMIC DEVELOPEMENT OF THE AREA AND IMMEDIATE AND MASSIVE ECCONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE NIGER DELTA. USE THE EXCESS CRUDE MONEY, USE PART OF THE EXTERNAL RESERVE, INTRODUCE WINDFAL TAX ON THE COMPANIES THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND USE THE MONEY TO PROGRESS AND DEVELOPE THE NIGER DELTA. WE NEED AN IMMEDIATE MARTIAL PLAN IN THE NIGER DELTA. PURSUE THIS MARTIAL PLAN, WITH THE SAME ZEAL, VIGOR AND ENTHUSIAZM, AS WAS USED IN BUILDING ABUJA AND ENVIRONS. NO MORE SLOGANS, NO MORE TALKS, NO MORE TITLE TATLE, NO MORE INFANTILE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE NIGER DELTA. NO MORE POSTPONNING OF ACTIONS, NO MORE PROMOSES. IF THEY ARE CRIMINALS JAIL THEM, NAME AND SHAME THEM. NAME THEIR SUPPORTERS AND COLLABORATORS. WE WANT ACTION! ACTION!! ACTION!!! AND WE WANT IT NOW! NOW! NOW!!! NOW!!!. MISS THIS OPPORTUNUTY TO RIGHT THE PAST WRONGS AND MISS IT FOR EVER. MAKE HISTORY MR PRESIDENT. ABUJA WAS CREATED IN LESS THAN TEN YEARS, WITH MONEY MADE FROM THE NIGER DELTA, WHY NOT THE NIGER DELTA WHERE ALL THE MONEY OF NIGERIA WAS MADE, THIS INCLUDES EXCESS CURDE AND THE HUGE EXTERNAL RESERVE.
STRAT THE IMMEDIATE MASSIVE DEVELOPEMENT OF THE NIGER DELTA NOW!!!!!!
Patrick Agbobu
30 June 2009 22:03Amnesty International has described the crisis in the Niger Delta as a “human rights tragedy,” saying that the people of the area have seen their human rights abused by oil companies which their government cannot hold to account. The group, in a report released on Tuesday, said the situation in the Niger Delta, home to 31 million people, has fuelled anger and conflict. “People living in the Niger Delta have to drink, cook with, and wash in polluted water; they eat fish contaminated with oil and other toxins - if they are lucky enough to still be able to find fish,” said the report. The report stated that the situation in the Niger Delta provides a stark example of the lack of accountability of a government to its people, and of multinational companies’ almost total lack of accountability when it comes to the impact of their operations on human rights. The report titled, “Petroleum, Pollution and Poverty in the Niger Delta”, was presented by its Head of Business and Human Rights, Audrey Gaughran. It examined oil spills, gas flaring, waste dumping and other environmental impacts of the oil industry, stressing that evidence gathered on pollution and environment damage relates to the operations of Shell, the main oil company operating on land in the Niger Delta. The agency said that the human rights impact of pollution in the Niger Delta is greatly under-reported, adding that the majority of people in the area depend on the natural environment for their food and livelihood, particularly through agriculture and fisheries. Amnesty blames both the government and multi-national oil giants for the rights abuses in sub-Saharan Africa’s most populous country.
Patrick Agbobu
3 July 2009 23:48MR. PRESIDENT YOU ARE NOT LISTENING. YOU SHOULD USE NIGER DELTA MONEY TO DEVELOPE THE NIGER DELTA IMMEDIATELY. ABUJA AND ENVIRONS WERE RAPIDLY DEVELOPED WITH THE MONEY FROM THE NIGER DELTA. THE SAME INTEREST AND SPEED THAT WAS USED TO DEVELOPE ABUJA SHOULD BE USED TO DEVELOPE THE NIGER DELTA. THIS WILL BE A WIN WIN FOR NIGERIA. THE CRISES WILL STOP, INVESTMENTS WILL RUSH IN, THE YOUTHS WILL BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, NIGERIA WILL MAXIMISE HER CRUDE OIL AND GAS PRODUCTIONS,TOURISM WILL FLORISH, NIGERIAN INTELLECTUALS AND BUSINESS PEOPLE ABROAD WILL COME BACK TO NIGERIA AND CREATE A LOT OF JOBS. AS LITTLE AS 100,000.00 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND) POUNDS COULD ESTABLISH A SMALL COTTAGE INDUSTRY OF A SMALL FARM AND ABOUT SIX WELL PAID JOBS CAN BE CREATED. BY SIMPLE CALCULATION, ABOUT ONE MILLION NIGERIANS ABROAD CAN RAISE THIS TYPE OF MONEY. THAT IS ABOUT SIX MILLION NEW JOBS. MR. PRESIDENT LISTEN! LISTEN!! LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!!. TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE AND YOUR SIDE MAKE HASTE NOW!!!!!
Patrick Agbobu
6 July 2009 22:2645 MILLION NAIRA OVERSEAS TRIP FOR WHAT? THIS IS A SCAM THAT IS HAPPENNING UNDER OUR NOSE. THIS AGF MICHAEL AONDOAKAA IS THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED TO THIS ADMINISTRATION. I DO NOT SEE THE REASON, WHY THE PRESIDENT IS STILL KEEPING HIM IN HIS CABINET. IT THERE ANYTHING THE PRESIDENT KNOWS, WHICH THE PRESIDENT IS NOT SHARING WITH US? THIS TRIP IS A DELIBERATE WASTE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. WE ALL KNOW WHO THE CULPRITS ARE. THEY ARE IN THE CORRIDOR OF POWER IN THIS ADMINISTRATION AND IN PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. THEY ARE IN THE PRESENT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND PAST ONES. THEIR NAMES ARE IN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, DISPLAYED BY THE COURTS IN THE USA AND SWIZERLAND. THIS AGF IS PATRONISING NIGERIANS AND HE IS GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. THIS AGF HAS BEEN DOGGED, IN PROTECTING HIS FRIENDS AND BACKERS, THE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS. THE IBORI AND ASSOCIATES, MONEY LAUNDARY AND FRAUD CASE WITH THE LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE, IS ONE OF THEM. THE AGF PLACED A LOT OF ABSTACLES, ON THE WAY OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE, SO THAT THEY CAN NOT GET IBORI AND ASSOCIATES. NOW HE IS SEEKING COOPERATION WITH THE SAME INTERNATIONAL POLICE. SHAME ON YOU AGF MICHAEL AONDOAKAA. THESE SAME CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS RECCOMENDED THE AGF FOR THE POST. IT WAS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE PAY BACKS, FROM THE PRESIDENT, AS THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS CLAIMED THAT THEY BANK ROLED THE PRESIDENT’S ELECTION. THERE IS A POPULAR SAYING, WHICH SAYS THAT, SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS AND I WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE. MR PRESIDENT IF THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS ARE YOUR FRIENDS, THEN IT MEANS A LOT. MR. PRESIDENT HAS NOT COME OENLY TO DENY THE CLAIMS OF THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS. MR. PRESIDENT SILIENCE IN LAW MEANS ACCEPTANCE. MR. PRESIDENT YOU MUST NOW SPEAK UP AND TELL US YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS. MOST OF THEM ARE ALSO BEHIDE THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IN THE NIGER DELTA, SLAUGHTERING OUR MILITARY PERSONS IN COLD BLOOD. MR. PRESIDENT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THAT, YOU SENT THESE MILITARY PERSONS TO THE NIGER DELTA TO MENTAIN LAW AND ORDER, AS THEIR COMMANDER IN CHIEF. YOU PROMISED TO NAME AND SHAME, THE BACKERS OF THE CRIMINALS IN THE NIGER DELTA, BUT YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO. IS THERE A HIDDEN AGENDA? WE MUST LOATH ANY BACKER OF THESE CRIMINALS AND ANY GOVERNMENT, THAT KNOWS THE BACKERS OF THESE CRIMINALS AND REFUSES TO NAME AND SHAME THEM, SHOULD FAIL AND DESERVES TO FAIL. NOW THEY HAVE SOLD THE IDEA OF AMNESTY TO YOU THROUGH THEIR AGENT THE AGF MICHAEL AONDOAKAA, BECAUSE HIS FRINDS AND BACKERS WILL BE THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES OF THIS SO CALLED AMNESTY. MR. PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA I HOPE YOU KNOW WHJAT YOU ARE DOING. THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS AND THEIR FRIENDS ARE THE WORST HUMAN BEINGS NIGERIA HAS EVER HAD. YOU SHOULD AVIOD THEM LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PLAGUE OR THEY WILL DRAG YOU DOWN WITH THEM. MR. PRESIDENT THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS ARE ALREADY A DISGRACE TO THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR RACE. MR. PRESIDENT YOU HAVE A GOOD FAMILY NAME TO PROTECT AND YOU HAVE A GOOD RECORD AS GOVERNOR OF KASTINA STATE TO PROTECT. MR. PRESIDENT PLEASE THINK OF THE VERY GOOD AN IMPECABLE LEGACY YOUR FATHER AND YOUR ELDER BROTHER LEFT. THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS ARE CANCAR WORMS OF INIQUITY AND THEY MUST NEVER BE APPROACHED WITH ONE THOUSAND MILES LENGHT OF POLE. THEY ARE EVIL, THEY ARE SATAN. THEY ARE VERY, VERY, BAD PEOPLE
Patrick Agbobu
7 July 2009 00:18BELOW IS WHAT THE BBC IS REPORTING. I HOPE PRESIDENT YAR’DUA AND THE GROUP OF SELFISH ADVICERS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. SOME OF THE CORRUPT AND IDICTED EX GOVERNORS HE CALLS HIS FRIENDS ARE BEHIND THESE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS. THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS RECRUITED, TRIANED, ARMED AND ENCOURAGE THESE CRIMINALS. WHY CAN’T PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA GET IT. HE NEEDS TO STEP BACK, RETHINK AND RESTRATAGISE, HIS POLICY AND APPROACH TO THE NIGER DELTA. THE DAY THE RUSSIAN MAFIA IS INVOLVED IN THE NIGER DELTA, THEN IT IS ‘CAPUT’ FINISH FOR THE NIGER DELTA AND NIGERIA. PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA YOU MUST MOVE VERY VERY FAST OR THERE IS BIG AND SERIOUS TROUBLE I SEE!!
YOU MUST LISTEN TO AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL. WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE NIGER DELTA IS A VERY SERIOUS CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. DO NOT ALLOW INTERNATIONAL BODIES TO GO AFTER OUR LEADERS AND PROSECUTE THEM FOR CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. REMEMBER DAFOR AND TAYLOR. IF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY DECIDE TO PRESS AND PROSECUTE FOR CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY, THERE IS NO WHERE TO HIDE. YOU MUST ACT NOW.
REPORT BY BBC
Militants in Nigeria are holding six members of the crew of an oil tanker, including its Russian captain.
A statement from the managers of the ship, the Sichem Peace, said armed men boarded the vessel near Escravos and forced the men to come ashore.
The ship was released and the remaining 13 crew moved it further offshore.
A statement from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) said it was holding the men - three Russians, two Filipinos and an Indian.
Root issues
It said it had kidnapped the crew because they had disregarded its earlier warning to keep away from the Niger Delta.
“Their arrest is meant to serve as a warning to others that there are root issues that have to be resolved with the Nigerian government before normalcy can resume,” the group said.
This is the latest in a series of violent incidents in the Niger Delta, which has sharply cut Nigeria’s oil production.
The Sichem Peace, which was seized about 20 nautical miles (37 km) from Escravos, was built in 2005 and sails under the flag of Singapore.
Its managers, EMS Ship Management, said it was “working with the relevant authorities and professional advisors, and doing everything possible to secure the timely and safe release of the crew members.”
It added that the safety of the crew was its “absolute priority”.
The ship, it said, was now 100 miles offshore, and under the control of the remaining crew.
Escravos is one of Nigeria’s main oil complexes, including a gas-to-liquids project and export terminal.
Amnesty offer
Earlier, Mend said it had blown up a major oil pipeline belonging to US firm Chevron, and an oil well head operated by Royal Dutch Shell.
The statement has not been verified and there has been no response from Chevron.
Last month Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua offered a 60-day amnesty to the militants of the Niger Delta, if they gave up their struggle.
But Mend says it will not disarm until the government releases one of its leaders, Henry Okah.
Mend says it wants the people of the Niger Delta to derive greater benefits from the region’s oil.
But many criminal gangs have taken advantage of the lawlessness in the area.
THEY ARE PREPARING THEMSELVES TO DO ANOTHER HALLIBURTON TRIP AND WASTE AS USUAL PUBLIC FUNDS. THEY WANT GHANA MUST GO BAGS TO EXCHANGE HANDS. I AM NOT HOLDING BRIEF FOR TOTAL OR ANY OIL COMPANY AS THEY ARE EQUALLY AS GUILTY. HOW CAN THEY BE ALLOWED TO REGULATE AND SUPERVICE THEMSELVES. THEY ARE ALLOWED BY THE NNPC AND THE GOVERNMENT TO MARK THEIR PAPERS. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT.
45 MILLION NAIRA OVERSEAS TRIP FOR WHAT? THIS IS A SCAM THAT IS HAPPENNING UNDER OUR NOSE. THIS AGF MICHAEL AONDOAKAA IS THE WORST THING THAT HAPPENED TO THIS ADMINISTRATION. I DO NOT SEE THE REASON, WHY THE PRESIDENT IS STILL KEEPING HIM IN HIS CABINET. IT THERE ANYTHING THE PRESIDENT KNOWS, WHICH THE PRESIDENT IS NOT SHARING WITH US? THIS TRIP IS A DELIBERATE WASTE OF PUBLIC FUNDS. WE ALL KNOW WHO THE CULPRITS ARE. THEY ARE IN THE CORRIDOR OF POWER IN THIS ADMINISTRATION AND IN PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. THEY ARE IN THE PRESENT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND PAST ONES. THEIR NAMES ARE IN PUBLIC DOCUMENTS, DISPLAYED BY THE COURTS IN THE USA AND SWIZERLAND. THIS AGF IS PATRONISING NIGERIANS AND HE IS GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER. THIS AGF HAS BEEN DOGGED, IN PROTECTING HIS FRIENDS AND BACKERS, THE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS. THE IBORI AND ASSOCIATES, MONEY LAUNDARY AND FRAUD CASE WITH THE LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE, IS ONE OF THEM. THE AGF PLACED A LOT OF ABSTACLES, ON THE WAY OF THE METROPOLITAN POLICE, SO THAT THEY CAN NOT GET IBORI AND ASSOCIATES. NOW HE IS SEEKING COOPERATION WITH THE SAME INTERNATIONAL POLICE. SHAME ON YOU AGF MICHAEL AONDOAKAA. THESE SAME CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS RECCOMENDED THE AGF FOR THE POST. IT WAS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE PAY BACKS, FROM THE PRESIDENT, AS THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS CLAIMED THAT THEY BANK ROLED THE PRESIDENT’S ELECTION. THERE IS A POPULAR SAYING, WHICH SAYS THAT, SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS AND I WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU ARE. MR PRESIDENT IF THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS ARE YOUR FRIENDS, THEN IT MEANS A LOT. MR. PRESIDENT HAS NOT COME OENLY TO DENY THE CLAIMS OF THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS. MR. PRESIDENT SILIENCE IN LAW MEANS ACCEPTANCE. MR. PRESIDENT YOU MUST NOW SPEAK UP AND TELL US YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EXGOVERNORS. MOST OF THEM ARE ALSO BEHIDE THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS IN THE NIGER DELTA, SLAUGHTERING OUR MILITARY PERSONS IN COLD BLOOD. MR. PRESIDENT YOU SHOULD REMEMBER THAT, YOU SENT THESE MILITARY PERSONS TO THE NIGER DELTA TO MENTAIN LAW AND ORDER, AS THEIR COMMANDER IN CHIEF. YOU PROMISED TO NAME AND SHAME, THE BACKERS OF THE CRIMINALS IN THE NIGER DELTA, BUT YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO. IS THERE A HIDDEN AGENDA? WE MUST LOATH ANY BACKER OF THESE CRIMINALS AND ANY GOVERNMENT, THAT KNOWS THE BACKERS OF THESE CRIMINALS AND REFUSES TO NAME AND SHAME THEM, SHOULD FAIL AND DESERVES TO FAIL. NOW THEY HAVE SOLD THE IDEA OF AMNESTY TO YOU THROUGH THEIR AGENT THE AGF MICHAEL AONDOAKAA, BECAUSE HIS FRINDS AND BACKERS WILL BE THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES OF THIS SO CALLED AMNESTY. MR. PRESIDENT YAR’ADUA I HOPE YOU KNOW WHJAT YOU ARE DOING. THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS AND THEIR FRIENDS ARE THE WORST HUMAN BEINGS NIGERIA HAS EVER HAD. YOU SHOULD AVIOD THEM LIKE A VERY SERIOUS PLAGUE OR THEY WILL DRAG YOU DOWN WITH THEM. MR. PRESIDENT THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS ARE ALREADY A DISGRACE TO THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR RACE. MR. PRESIDENT YOU HAVE A GOOD FAMILY NAME TO PROTECT AND YOU HAVE A GOOD RECORD AS GOVERNOR OF KASTINA STATE TO PROTECT. MR. PRESIDENT PLEASE THINK OF THE VERY GOOD AN IMPECABLE LEGACY YOUR FATHER AND YOUR ELDER BROTHER LEFT. THESE CORRUPT AND INDICTED EX GOVERNORS ARE CANCAR WORMS OF INIQUITY AND THEY MUST NEVER BE APPROACHED WITH ONE THOUSAND MILES LENGHT OF POLE. THEY ARE EVIL, THEY ARE SATAN. THEY ARE VERY, VERY, BAD PEOPLE
Patrick Agbobu says:
July 6, 2009 at 11:08 pmTHE REPORT OF AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ON NIGER DELTA, IS THE TURTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. ANY PERSON WHO FAULTS THIS IMPECCABLE REPORT IS NOT ONLY ECCONOMICAL WITH THE TRUTH BUT IS IN ANOTHER PLANET AND IN CLOUD-CUCKOO-LAND. THE NIGERIAN AUTHORITY KNOWS THAT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS AN IMPARTIAL BODY AND THEY PERFORM THEIR DUTY WITHOUT BLEMISH. IF IT WAS POSSILE FOR NIGERIA TO INFLUENCE THEM WITH THE USAUL GHANA MUST GO BAG, TYEY COULD HAVE DONE SO. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED INTERNATIONAL IMPARTIAL ORGANIZATION. NIGERIA AND THE OIL COMPANIES MUST BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES. NIGERIA SHOULD INTRODUCE A WINDFAL TAX ON THESE OIL COMPANIES TO CLAW BACK THE HUGE PROFITS THEY HAVE MADE OVER THE PERIOD. NIGERIA MUST ASK THE OIL COMPANIES TO CLEAN THE MESS THEY CREATED AND PENALISE THEM PUNITIVELY FOR THE MESS. THE MONEY FROM THE WINDFALL TAX, EXCESS CRUDE AND 30% OF OUR EXTERNAL RESERVE SHOULD BE USED IMMEDIATELY FOR THE DEVELOPEMENT OF NIGER DELTA
MR. PRESIDENT YOU ARE NOT LISTENING. YOU SHOULD USE NIGER DELTA MONEY TO DEVELOPE THE NIGER DELTA IMMEDIATELY. ABUJA AND ENVIRONS WERE RAPIDLY DEVELOPED WITH THE MONEY FROM THE NIGER DELTA. THE SAME INTEREST AND SPEED THAT WAS USED TO DEVELOPE ABUJA SHOULD BE USED TO DEVELOPE THE NIGER DELTA. THIS WILL BE A WIN WIN FOR NIGERIA. THE CRISES WILL STOP, INVESTMENTS WILL RUSH IN, THE YOUTHS WILL BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, NIGERIA WILL MAXIMISE HER CRUDE OIL AND GAS PRODUCTIONS,TOURISM WILL FLORISH, NIGERIAN INTELLECTUALS AND BUSINESS PEOPLE ABROAD WILL COME BACK TO NIGERIA AND CREATE A LOT OF JOBS. AS LITTLE AS 100,000.00 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND) POUNDS COULD ESTABLISH A SMALL COTTAGE INDUSTRY OF A SMALL FARM AND ABOUT SIX WELL PAID JOBS CAN BE CREATED. BY SIMPLE CALCULATION, ABOUT ONE MILLION NIGERIANS ABROAD CAN RAISE THIS TYPE OF MONEY. THAT IS ABOUT SIX MILLION NEW JOBS. MR. PRESIDENT LISTEN! LISTEN!! LISTEN!!! LISTEN!!!. TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE AND YOUR SIDE MAKE HASTE NOW!!!!!
Patrick Agbobu
8 July 2009 19:54There are IYC and MEND members and IYC and MEND members. Some of those who claim to be IYC and MEND members are briefless, rag tagged and Abuja based. Some of them have compromised themselves and they have lost credibility, with the struggle for fairness and justice in the Niger Delta. Some of them are the backers and collaborators of the criminal elements, giving very bad names, to the real struggle for fairness and justice in the Niger Delta. Some of them have made lot of blood money, at the very expence of the people of the Niger Delta. Some of them have made a lot of money, by collaborating with illegal bunkeres or enguaging in it themselves. Some of them are, in the pay role of the corrupt and indicted ex governors from the Niger Delta. Can they tell the people of the Niger Delta, how they sustain their high and lavish life style? These people are canker worms of iniquity and they speak for nobody but themselves. Most of them have no constituencies and no bases in the Niger Delta. They are the Abuja and news paper freedom fighters. They only tell the government, what the government wants to hear and feed the government with a lot of boloney or rubbish. These people con the government and the people of the Niger Delta. The government and The President should look at the report of Amnesty International on Niger Delta, address, rectify and impliment in its enteity, the basic issues and problems raised in the reports. The reports say that, the Niger Delta is criminally neglected by all governments and operating Oil companies in the Niger Delta. As a result of this criminal neglect, the people of the Niger Delta are dieing very prematuredly because of the environmental polution, that their lands and waters have been destroyed by the oil companies and as a result the people can not farm or fish, as the people of the Niger Delta are basically farmers and fishermen and women and that all governments are party to this criminal neglect and destruction. That what is happenning in the Niger Delta is a crime against humanity. These corrupt and indicted ex governors who were almost impecunious, jobless and hatchet men to the corrupt ex military persons, before they were selected as governors, now live lavishly as if they own the World bank. If the government fails to massively develope the Niger Delta and create a lot of well paying jobs, for the teaming masses of unemployed able bodied youths, there will be no peace in the Niger Delta. If the government thinks that, they can mask the problems, by paying off a few of selfish Niger Delta leaders, then the government is not seriour and they are playing with fire. If the situation is allowed to continue, there will come one day, when no company will want to do business, in the Niger Delta and not one barrel of crude oil or a litre of gas can be produced. If we have this senario, the government will be completely broke and will run out of money. The government as a matter of fact for its survival, must positiveiy investment for the future and proterity of nigeria,by using a grate part of its external reserve and the excess crude money to immediately develope the Niger Delta. Any company that wants to do business in the Niger Delta, must be made to plough back, some of their profits in the developement of the Niger Delta. Time is running out.
Patrick Agbobu
11 July 2009 16:03Amnesty as it is packaged by the AGF, acting for the corrupt and indicted governors, will FAIL and deserves to fail. What this has done is to reward criminals, fronting for the corrupt and indicted governors and their collaborators. This amnesty has by extention given amnesty to these indicted and corrupt governors and their collaborators and has rewarded them for their crime against nigerians and humanity. These same indicted and corrupt governors and their collaborators names, featured promininently, in the lists of backers of the criminals recorvered in camp 5, bt the security forces. The amnesty is not only bad and disgraceful, but was dishonestly negotiated and the corrupt and indicted and currupt governors are at the very centre of it. These bad people, who should hang their heads in permanent shame, are trying to get away with murder. If this shinanigan of an amnesty, is allowed to be put in place, then the President does not deserve the support of Nigerians and especially the military. The later he sent to the Niger Delta, as their Commander In Chief and they were slaughtered in cold blood by the criminals.
The President should realise that, the real agitators in the Niger Delta are not talking of amnesty. All they want and deserve is that, the people of the Niger Delta should be treated with fairness justice and the fear of God. The President should know that, this sham of an amnesty is a sign of great weakness and it is not worth the paper on which it is written. Mr. President if you know, you are sincere with the people of the Niger Delta, you should start without delay and as a down payment to the people of the Niger Delta, develope the Niger Delta, with the same speed and alacrity that was used in developing Abuja. Abuja was geveloped in a jiffy, do the same with the Niger Delta. You have just awarded contracts for 10 lane road for Abuja International airport worth over 300 billion naira, yet you find it immposible to link all the state capitals in the Niger Delta with the rest of the country. Mr. President this is double standards and the people of the Niger Delta will not be fooled. Mr. President read and listen to the report of amnesty International on the Niger Delta. Amnesty International is a very respectable body all over the world and they should know better. Mr. President use the part of money, Nigeria is making in the Niger Delta to immediately develope the Niger Delta and ecconomically empower the people of the Niger Deita now. Mr. President stop using the money that was realised from the Niger Delta, to develope Abuja and other places and ecconomically empowering people, from other parts of nigeria, at the expence of the Niger Delta and her people. Mr. President it is time, you should stop patronising the people of the Niger Delta, like your predicessors. Mr. President bribing a few shameless, so called leaders of the Niger Delta is not the solution. This tactics will fail woefully as they have failed in the past. If it is this chinanigan of an amnesty, that the real agitators of the Niger Delta want, Adaka Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa and others could not have sacrificed their lives, fighting for justice and fairness for the people of the Niger Delta. The Bible and The Coran say DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WISH THEY DO UNTO YOU. If you obey this law and rule you will please the people of the Niger Delta and The Almighty God. Mr. President all the so called billioners in Nigeria today, made their money from the cude oil and associate industries linked to crude oil, and these products were got from The Niger Delta, Mr. President show me one of these billioners, who is from the Niger Delta. Mr. Ptrsident is this not shameful and disgraceful? Mr. President Nigeria has 63 billion dollars in foriegn reserves and all are made from curde oil, from The Niger Delta, yet the Niger Delta is wallowing in abject and abysmal porverty. Mr. President is this just and fair? Mr. President why do you and your predicessors and all governments of all shades, treat the people of the Niger Delta so shabilly? Are the people of the neger delta crused because, we produce the crude oil and gas, which the whole of Nigeria depens on? MR. PRESIDENT TELL ME! MR. PRESIDENT TELL THE PEOPLE OF THE NIGER DELTA!! MR. PRESIDENT TELL NIGERIANS!!! MR. PRESIDENT TELL THE WORLD!!!!