The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned of a terror attack during Eid-al-Fitr Sallah celebration in Lagos hotels which hosts international guests.
In a statement to US citizens published on its website Tuesday, the US Mission statement said:
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria advises that groups associated with terrorist activity might be planning attacks against hotels in Lagos frequented by international visitors, including those located on waterfronts, during the Eid-al-Fitr holidays (5 and 6 July 2016).”
The US Mission also charged Americans to review their personal security:
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria reminds you to review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that he is exploring the fastest means to end the economic sabotage in the Niger Delta and amicably resolve the conflicts within the region. in his Sallah message to Nigerians on Tuesday, the President appealed for the support, understanding and patience of all Nigerians and the international partners in this regard.
He called on all patriotic Nigerians to uphold the lessons of tolerance, piety, sacrifice, love, self-denial and good conduct in their daily relationship with one another even as he appreciated the numerous material and human blessings God has endowed Nigeria with. “Let us learn to show gratitude, respect and tolerance to one other, irrespective of our religion, tribe, language and political leanings, as we forge ahead to build on our strengths and opportunities to make Nigeria great again.
“I am not unaware of what Nigerians are going through and I want to use this medium to commend the amazing sacrifices of Nigerians in the face of the temporary economic and social challenges and also reassure Nigerians that my administration is working assiduously towards providing basic needs and other amenities. “Let me also use this opportunity to reaffirm that we will not relent in the fight against corruption and we will ensure that all appropriate and legal measures are deplored to root out this malaise.” President Buhari commended the Armed Forces and security agencies for the gains recorded in the fight against terrorists and the rescue of hostages in the North East part of the country. The President promised Nigerians of better days ahead “even as we remain grateful for your unflinching support to our administration. He particularly congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and around the world on the successful completion of this month-long spiritual journey of fasting, prayer and almsgiving in obedience to the Divine Command. I sincerely pray that the Almighty Allah will reward our sacrifices with increased blessing and a more prosperous future. “On this happy occasion, it is my strong belief that all true followers of Islam have been rejuvenated on the true meaning and essence of life and through the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), we have learnt to imbibe the virtues.” [myad]
Out of the blue, a group calling itself the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) sprouts. They kill soldiers and policemen. They kidnap and kill oil company workers. Piracy on the high seas. They asked oil companies to stop operations and pack out of the Niger Delta region.
They blow up oil pipelines, power and other infrastructure. They attack and kill prominent individuals, ransacking homes up and down the coastal areas, including lately, Lagos and Ogun states.
All these for what?
It is still unclear what they want. From the diverse, if vague and inchoate voices of the militants, some say they want to take control of the oil resources in the region. Sometimes when the rhetoric gets uglier, they call for the breakup of Nigeria as a country!
The scariest part of what is happening is that the media, in their appetite for sensational stories are egging them on to make a great display of seditious, anti-national sentiment. In the last stages before her government’s defeat of the Irish Republican Army,IRA Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher likened publicity for the terrorist to oxygen needed for survival. ” We must deny terrorists the oxygen of publicity,” and the independent English press gave the Prime Minister a free pass.
In the midst of these unfolding events, President Muhammadu Buhari had maintained an uncharacteristic aloofness.
Many had thought for instance that he would tackle the new onslaught on the economy with the same hawkishness that characterized his tenure as military Head of State in the 80’s. But he did not panic, either.
In fact several of the political leaders of the Delta, themselves severely under pressure for their inability to keep up with salary payments have been in the forefront of the calls for the “strongest possible military action” against the terrorists. The country’s third richest state, Delta State gave notice a week ago that workers salaries can no longer be guaranteed.
So far, the President has resisted the urge to pull the trigger. Yes, the army has mobilized to the region but military action has been stayed as the country absorbs the incredible shock that has come with the fall of oil revenues. Records of oil exports are at their lowest levels in 30 years.
The Punch newspaper, in an editorial on Friday July 1 warned the government about inherent “landmines” in any negotiations: “It is like dealing with a blackmailer: he keeps making all sorts of demands, reasonable and otherwise. Worse, there is a high probability that other splinter militant groups will emerge based on the negotiations with the NDA. They will threaten the state expecting to be negotiated with. At the end of the day, the government would have numerous groups to contend with than it can handle.”
In my conversation on this issue with General Babagana Munguno, the National Security Adviser precisely two weeks back, he informed this reporter that he met 14 groups claiming leadership to the renewed onslaught on the nation’s economic jugular vein.
Each of the groups had been brought to him by a serving governor or a former one; a serving minister or one that had left office with assurances that “this group is the one to talk to.”
The amazing discovery he made from his meetings is the lack of unity among them as each group that came attacked the one that came before it as inconsequential.
Leaning on an editorial by the influential British newspaper the Economist, the Punch recommended strong military action. Quoting the Economist, the newspaper said “Buhari should not try to buy them off. Rather, he should arrest those those who have committed acts of violence or extortion.”
At a meeting with the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact group led by His Royal Majesty King Alfred Diete-Spiff at the State House last Thursday, President Buhari spoke most extensively on his own approach to the crisis in the region.
He told Diete-Spiff, himself a former military governor of the old Rivers State that peace and stability in the the Delta region and the country is the priority of his government and there will be no compromise on this. To show respect for the visiting ruler, President Buhari recalled that he was “a bloody army Lieutenant” when the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass was a military governor.
He disclosed that his decision on what to do dealing with the problem of the region will be based on the reports he is expecting from the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu who is interfacing with all stakeholders; the Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta overseeing the amnesty program and the new management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Allying fears that he would jettison the Niger Delta Peace Plan he inherited from the previous administration, President Buhari told his visitors that he had read the agreements and the gazette outlining the amnesty program.
He said he had asked his officials on assignment on the Niger Delta to look around and see how many of the signatories to the amnesty agreement are still around.
“Let them find out what has been achieved and what is left and then write a report.
“I have asked the Minister of State Petroleum to work with the oil companies. We need to get as much intelligence as is possible before we start talking.
“I sympathize with the investors who borrow money, half way through, their investment is blown away.
” I have encouraged law-enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you (Amanyanabo). When I move in, I will have plenty of information so as to deal with the issue once and for all. We will talk to as many groups as possible. We won’t give up.
“Whatever remains of the Yar’Adua agreement will be met.”
He then talked about the impact of the collapse of the oil prices, which averaged about 100 US Dollars from 1999 to 2015, saying that its fall to about 30 Dollars a barrel some weeks ago was shocking. “I would have been in coma if not for the fact that I was in Oil (sector as a past minister) for three years.”
He then sent an important message at this meeting: “We intend to rebuild this country so that our children and grandchildren will have a good place. But a lot of damage has been done. Tell the people to be patient.
” When you get together, pacify the people. Let them be patient. We will utilize (their) resources with integrity.”
The President’s conciliatory note came a day after he hosted the National Council of Traditional Rulers to a Ramadan Iftar, at which event he asked the rulers to “beg the militants in the name of God to stop their sabotage of the economy.” He appreciated the efforts they and the oil companies were making and said he did not wish to undermine them. This equally signaled a highly conciliatory direction for the resolution of the crisis.
It is clear from the foregoing that the President is taking a bit of time but it is also because he is determined to find a lasting solution to the recurring crisis in the Delta.
It is important for the country that a lesson be learned from the many past meetings and agreements between government groups and the militants that have yielded only short term political dividends. What is wrong with those agreements that they don’t last?
How many of those agreements,joint statements, ceasefires and peace declarations do we have on record so far? Why haven’t they given us peace?
Second issue the President is obviously weighing is the integrity of the country’s internal capacity for the resolution of crises.
Over the years, this country has evolved ways of dealing with problems, real or imagined that threatened its existence from time to time. The amazing thing about it is that solutions emerge from within, that is without the involvement of external influences. This is why we have come this far.
In his desire to build a country in which every part is carried along, he is mindful of the fact that if any part of the body is paralyzed, the whole body cannot be said to be alright. The President is mindful of the fact that the Delta region is an important part of the whole.
But as he charts his course for a permanent peace in the Niger Delta, it is important however that militants don’t mistake his efforts as a sign of weakness.
Garba Shehu Is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity. [myad]
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has alleged that the Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, who is currently under investigation for alleged looting, had purchased at least, seven houses since he returned to power in 2014.
Sources close to the investigation of the Ekiti State helmsman said thatsome of the the houses, including the one that worth N1.2 billion in Lagos State, have their transactions handled for Fayose by his close ally, Abiodun Agbele, who is popularly called Abbey. Agbele was arrested on June 27 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
It was learnt that Agbele’s arrest was facilitated by a socialite Lagos-based lady, who is close to Fayose and simply identified as Oyin, when he went to pick up the papers for the N1.2 billion house located on Victoria Island.
The documents were meant to be altered so they do not read Fayose’s name again.
However, when Agbele got to the office of Oyin, whose business name is said to be “Safe Haven,” the lady kept him waiting until operatives of the EFCC, whom she had informed of his presence by telephone, arrived.
It was gathered that the EFCC had also closed in on Oyin over some of the Fayose deals and the only saving grace for her was to deliver Agbele to the anti-graft agency.
Oyin allegedly facilitated the purchase of the Victoria Island property.
However, it has been gathered that Agbele is alleging from EFCC’s detention facility in Abuja that he is being coerced into implicating Fayose.
It was earlier reported that when Agbele was detained in Lagos, he only volunteered a two-page statement to the EFCC. In the statement, he insisted that it was Zenith Bank Plc that bankrolled the 2014 election of Fayose.
However, after a failed bid to obtain a court-sanctioned 30-day detention of Agbele failed in Lagos, as reported last week, the governor’s ally was moved to Abuja.
Sources said he has since arriving in the Abuja facility of the EFCC made statements implicating Fayose.
Agbele, is, however, saying that he was being forced to implicate Fayose.
It was alleged he may not be off the hook of the anti-graft agency soon as the EFCC is said to be pressurising him to implicate Fayose as a condition for his release from detention.
Agbele, who was invited to come to the EFCC office in Abuja, was arrested by operatives of the anti-corruption agency in Lagos on June 27 and is still being detained by the EFCC. Advertisement He is being detained as part of the EFCC’s investigation of a sum of N4.7 billion allegedly received from the Office of the National Security Adviser through the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro.
Accounts of Governor Fayose in Zenith Bank Plc have been frozen by the EFCC over the development.
Informed sources in the EFCC disclosed that Agbele was said to have insisted initially that he did not receive any money from Senator Obanikoro or anyone from the NSA office under retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
Sources said he only wrote a two-page statement while in the Lagos office of the EFCC.
“EFCC appears to be at crossroad now because Agbele was said to have maintained that he won’t lie against himself by saying what did not happen. Agbele was said to be insisting that funds only got into his account through Zenith Bank, donations and not from the NSA office,” the source said.
It should be recalled that Governor Fayose had stated that his election was funded by Zenith Bank Plc, fund raising, donations from friends and associates as well as sales of campaign souvenirs.
He said further that he had no financial transaction whatsoever with the ONSA under Dasuki and Obanikoro either by cash, cheque or electronic transfer.
The governor also challenged EFCC to publish statements made by Senator Obanikoro, his son or any other person associated with money from the NSA office where they claimed they gave him money for the election, adding that what the anti-corruption agency was doing was part of the grand plot to intimidate and harass him into submission.
The source added: “Agbele was said to have told the EFCC that money was transferred to his account by Zenith Bank and it was Governor Fayose that introduced him to Zenith Bank as part of the bank’s arrangement to fund his election.
“He has also said that he was not a politician and that he never had any financial dealing with Obanikoro or the former NSA, Colonel Sambo Dasuki.
“However, EFCC is only interested in getting a link between funds allegedly received from the NSA office and Governor Fayose and Agbele is believed to be the only one that can provide that link. “Thus, Agbele may have been given the option of either making statements to implicate Governor Fayose by creating the needed link or remain incarcerated for as along as they desired.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked for the support and investments of the international community in the agricultural and solid minerals sectors as Nigeria moves to reduce dependence on crude oil.
In a farewell audience with the outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Sweden to Nigeria, Mr. Svante Kilander, at the State House, President Buhari said that his government would create the enabling environment for local and foreign investments in farming, animal husbandry, fishery and the exploration of solid minerals.
The President said that a planned visit by some Swedish trade and investment delegations to the country later in the year would further encourage the ongoing process of diversifying the Nigerian economy.
President Buhari commended the Swedish government for the support extended to Nigeria in catering for the needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East and the ongoing reconstruction of the areas affected by terrorist attacks.
In his remarks, the Swedish Ambassador said his country was pleased with the sweeping changes taking place across the country with clear results in the fight against terrorism and corruption.
Kilander said his country would continue to strengthen bilateral relations with Nigeria by encouraging more trade and investments between both countries.
Receiving special envoys from President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan and President Al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan separately, President Buhari advised the two countries to avoid the trap of getting into a mono-cultural economy like Nigeria by diversifying their economies early.
The President also advised the two countries to be more vigilant on security by stemming recruitment of young people by terrorist groups.
He said Nigeria would continue to support the transitional government that had been put in place in South Sudan.
The leader of the South Sudan delegation, who is a Senior Presidential Adviser on Peace, Mr. Nhial Deng Nhial and the leader of the Sudan delegation, Ismail Abdul-Raheem, who is the State Minister, Foreign Affairs, assured President Buhari of their commitment to strengthen bilateral relations.
Both envoys commended Nigeria for the leadership role it had played to ensure peace and stability in their countries. [myad]
Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has described as a lie a statement credited to the leadership of the Senate that he asked that the tussle between the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federation should be over.
Atiku made it clear that at no time he even reacted to the lingering case of alleged forgery of the Senate’s rules. In a statement through his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said that he has not made any comment on the ongoing battle between the leadership of the Senate and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, over the forgery trial of the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. The statement which was issued by Mazi Paul Ibe, quoted Atiku as saying that the last time he made any comment on National Assembly matters was in July 2015 during the leadership crisis in the legislature. The former Vice President said that he was taken by surprise that a section of the media chose to take his 2015 comment, rework it and credited same to him in the current battle of supremacy between the Senate and Malami. He said that the last time he issued a statement on National Assembly matters was on July 2, 2015 when he called for an amicable resolution of the crisis of confidence that arose from the election of principal officers, which bitterly divided the leaders of the Assembly and their supporters. The Senate had in a statement, claimed that the former Vice President said “it is time to move on” from the ongoing crisis of the National Assembly. [myad]
Suicide bombers struck three cities across Saudi Arabia on Monday in an apparently coordinated campaign of attacks as Saudis prepared to break their fast on the penultimate day of the holy month of Ramadan. The explosions, targeting US diplomats, Shi’ite worshippers and a security headquarters at a mosque in the holy city of Medina, follow days of mass killings claimed by the Islamic State group in Turkey, Bangladesh and Iraq. The attacks all seem to have been timed to coincide with the approach of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that celebrates the end of the fast. A Saudi security official said an attacker parked a car near the US consulate in Jeddah before detonating the device. The official said the government was checking the reports of blasts in Qatif and Medina. In the only one of the three attacks that appeared to have caused many casualties, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb near the security headquarters of the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, the second-holiest site in Islam. Saudi-owned al-Arabiya television said an initial death toll from the Medina blast included three suicide bombers and two security forces officers. A video sent to Reuters by a witness to the aftermath of the Medina bombing showed a large blaze among parked cars in the fading evening light, with a sound of sirens in the background. A picture sent to Reuters showed a burnt and bleeding man lying on a stretcher in a hospital. Other pictures circulating on social media showed dark smoke billowing from flames near the Mosque of the Prophet, originally built in the 7th century by the Prophet Muhammad, who is buried there along with his first two successors. In Qatif, an eastern city that is home to many members of the Shi’ite minority, at least one and possibly two explosions struck near a Shi’ite mosque. Witnesses described body parts, apparently of a suicide bomber, in the aftermath. A resident of the city reached by telephone said there were believed to be no casualties there apart from the attacker, as worshippers had already gone home to break their fasts. Civil defence forces were cleaning up the area and police were investigating, the resident said. A video circulating on social media and purporting to show the aftermath of a Qatif blast showed an agitated crowd on a street, with a fire raging near a building, and a bloody body part lying on the ground. Reuters could not immediately verify the video. Hours earlier, a suicide bomber was killed and two people were wounded in a blast near the US consulate in the kingdom’s second largest city, Jeddah. The Jeddah blast was the first bombing in years to attempt to target foreigners in the kingdom. There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Islamic State has carried out a series of bombing and shooting attacks in Saudi Arabia since mid-2014 that have killed scores of people, mostly members of the Shi’ite Muslim minority and security services. Police and groups of local volunteers increased security near mosques in Qatif after suicide bombings hit mosques in Shi’ite areas last year, killing dozens. Another suicide blast at a mosque used by security forces also killed 15 a year ago.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has taken over the Sky bank with the appointment of Alhaji M. K. Ahmed an experienced economist and and former Director General of National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to man it as Chairman.
This was even as Mr. Tokunbo Aberu, a seasoned banker and former Lagos Finance Commissioner was appointed Managing Director of the bank.
The Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who spokes to in Lagos, said that the board of the bank has bee dissolved against the background of the bank’s failure to meet required capital adequacy ratio, poor liquidity ratio and high level of non-performing loans.
The bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Oguntayo, and the chairman had resigned before the CBN announcement.
The Governor of CBN assured customers that the bank is not in distress, adding that the decision became necessary to save the bank from sliding into an irreversible situation.
The Apex bank boss however assured depositors that the bank is not in distressed but still healthy.
“CBN has been meeting with the old board of Skye Bank eventually the chairman and some board members had to resign,” Emefiele said.
“There three key areas of a bank: MPL, Capital Adequacy and Liquidity situation and what we have seen is that all these have been weakening in the bank we decided to step into the bank to avoid a situation where depositors fund will get into risk.
“The strategic health of the bank remains strong. The new board will be managed by Alh. M. K. Ahmad (Chairman) and Mr. Tokunbo Aberu (MD), a seasoned banker and until recently a director of First Bank, and five other non Executive Directors.”
The CBN boss urged shareholders and customers of the bank not to be panicky but to remain calm, stressing that the bank was not in distress.
“I maintain that Skye Bank is not in distress. We have only taken this unavoidable decision to ensure that depositors’ funds are not eroded,” he said. [myad]
The Chief Financial Officer of MTN Group, Brett Goschen, will call it quits in September after more than a decade at Africa’s biggest telecoms operator, the company said on Monday. A statement by the company in Johannesburg said Goschen had held the position since 2013. According to MTN, its Rwanda Chief Executive, Gunter Engling, will assume the position of Acting Group CFO on Brett’s departure until a permanent CFO is appointed. Goschen leaves the company in the middle of a hunt for new revenue streams that include convincing its more than 200 million users to use their handsets for everything from storing money to paying bills. MTN also named former Barclays Africa Investment Banking Chief Stephen van Coller as head of mergers, acquisitions and strategy. Coller’s appointment follows that of another banking veteran Rob Shuter as chief executive officer last month. Coller will take up his role in October, while Shuter is expected to start by no later than July next year. MTN has struggled to make money at a faster pace as years of price wars and regulation aimed at bringing tariffs down hit profitability and made it less attractive to spend on new networks. Investors are hoping Shuter and Coller will use their banking experience to shake off MTN’s reputation as a stock with a limited potential for growth and expect a move into financial services. The move will pit MTN against African rival Safaricom, whose mobile money business M-Pesa helped offset falling prices for basic telecoms. The M-Pesa has also convinced some executive and investors that financial services is the industry’s next growth area. Reuters/NAN. [myad]
Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted a N250 million bail to former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman, former Finance Minister; and one Danjuma Yusuf all of who are standing trial for alleged involvement in the expenditure of campaign funds for the opposition PDP during the 2015 general elections..
Justice Hassan said that each of the defendants must provide two sureties who must be owners of landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction. The sureties are also to deposit their international passports with the court.
This was as the case was adjourned to October 19, 20, and 21, for trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had last Tuesday, arraigned the trio alongside Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited before Justice Hassan on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, corruption and making cash payments exceeding the amount authorized by law.
They were accused of diverting about N4.9 billion belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria for political and personal uses to which they pleaded not guilty.
Their counsels, Ferdinand Orbih, Ifedayo Adedipe and S. I. Ameh, moved the motion for their bail after they had filed separate applications in which they prayed the court to release their clients on bail. The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, however pleaded for time to respond to the applications.
In granting the bail application, Justice Hassan ruled that the sureties and their assets must be verified by the anti-graft commission. As at press time, the trio were making frantic arrangements to meet the bail conditions. [myad]
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The United States Mission in Nigeria has warned of a terror attack during Eid-al-Fitr Sallah celebration in Lagos hotels which hosts international guests.
President Buhari Sharpens Focus On Niger Delta, By Garba Shehu
They blow up oil pipelines, power and other infrastructure. They attack and kill prominent individuals, ransacking homes up and down the coastal areas, including lately, Lagos and Ogun states.
All these for what?
It is still unclear what they want. From the diverse, if vague and inchoate voices of the militants, some say they want to take control of the oil resources in the region. Sometimes when the rhetoric gets uglier, they call for the breakup of Nigeria as a country!
The scariest part of what is happening is that the media, in their appetite for sensational stories are egging them on to make a great display of seditious, anti-national sentiment. In the last stages before her government’s defeat of the Irish Republican Army,IRA Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher likened publicity for the terrorist to oxygen needed for survival. ” We must deny terrorists the oxygen of publicity,” and the independent English press gave the Prime Minister a free pass.
In the midst of these unfolding events, President Muhammadu Buhari had maintained an uncharacteristic aloofness.
Many had thought for instance that he would tackle the new onslaught on the economy with the same hawkishness that characterized his tenure as military Head of State in the 80’s. But he did not panic, either.
In fact several of the political leaders of the Delta, themselves severely under pressure for their inability to keep up with salary payments have been in the forefront of the calls for the “strongest possible military action” against the terrorists. The country’s third richest state, Delta State gave notice a week ago that workers salaries can no longer be guaranteed.
So far, the President has resisted the urge to pull the trigger. Yes, the army has mobilized to the region but military action has been stayed as the country absorbs the incredible shock that has come with the fall of oil revenues. Records of oil exports are at their lowest levels in 30 years.
The Punch newspaper, in an editorial on Friday July 1 warned the government about inherent “landmines” in any negotiations: “It is like dealing with a blackmailer: he keeps making all sorts of demands, reasonable and otherwise. Worse, there is a high probability that other splinter militant groups will emerge based on the negotiations with the NDA. They will threaten the state expecting to be negotiated with. At the end of the day, the government would have numerous groups to contend with than it can handle.”
In my conversation on this issue with General Babagana Munguno, the National Security Adviser precisely two weeks back, he informed this reporter that he met 14 groups claiming leadership to the renewed onslaught on the nation’s economic jugular vein.
Each of the groups had been brought to him by a serving governor or a former one; a serving minister or one that had left office with assurances that “this group is the one to talk to.”
The amazing discovery he made from his meetings is the lack of unity among them as each group that came attacked the one that came before it as inconsequential.
Leaning on an editorial by the influential British newspaper the Economist, the Punch recommended strong military action. Quoting the Economist, the newspaper said “Buhari should not try to buy them off. Rather, he should arrest those those who have committed acts of violence or extortion.”
At a meeting with the Niger Delta Dialogue and Contact group led by His Royal Majesty King Alfred Diete-Spiff at the State House last Thursday, President Buhari spoke most extensively on his own approach to the crisis in the region.
He told Diete-Spiff, himself a former military governor of the old Rivers State that peace and stability in the the Delta region and the country is the priority of his government and there will be no compromise on this. To show respect for the visiting ruler, President Buhari recalled that he was “a bloody army Lieutenant” when the Amanyanabo of Twon Brass was a military governor.
He disclosed that his decision on what to do dealing with the problem of the region will be based on the reports he is expecting from the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu who is interfacing with all stakeholders; the Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta overseeing the amnesty program and the new management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Allying fears that he would jettison the Niger Delta Peace Plan he inherited from the previous administration, President Buhari told his visitors that he had read the agreements and the gazette outlining the amnesty program.
He said he had asked his officials on assignment on the Niger Delta to look around and see how many of the signatories to the amnesty agreement are still around.
“Let them find out what has been achieved and what is left and then write a report.
“I have asked the Minister of State Petroleum to work with the oil companies. We need to get as much intelligence as is possible before we start talking.
“I sympathize with the investors who borrow money, half way through, their investment is blown away.
” I have encouraged law-enforcement agencies to contact leaders like you (Amanyanabo). When I move in, I will have plenty of information so as to deal with the issue once and for all. We will talk to as many groups as possible. We won’t give up.
“Whatever remains of the Yar’Adua agreement will be met.”
He then talked about the impact of the collapse of the oil prices, which averaged about 100 US Dollars from 1999 to 2015, saying that its fall to about 30 Dollars a barrel some weeks ago was shocking. “I would have been in coma if not for the fact that I was in Oil (sector as a past minister) for three years.”
He then sent an important message at this meeting: “We intend to rebuild this country so that our children and grandchildren will have a good place. But a lot of damage has been done. Tell the people to be patient.
” When you get together, pacify the people. Let them be patient. We will utilize (their) resources with integrity.”
The President’s conciliatory note came a day after he hosted the National Council of Traditional Rulers to a Ramadan Iftar, at which event he asked the rulers to “beg the militants in the name of God to stop their sabotage of the economy.” He appreciated the efforts they and the oil companies were making and said he did not wish to undermine them. This equally signaled a highly conciliatory direction for the resolution of the crisis.
It is clear from the foregoing that the President is taking a bit of time but it is also because he is determined to find a lasting solution to the recurring crisis in the Delta.
It is important for the country that a lesson be learned from the many past meetings and agreements between government groups and the militants that have yielded only short term political dividends. What is wrong with those agreements that they don’t last?
How many of those agreements,joint statements, ceasefires and peace declarations do we have on record so far? Why haven’t they given us peace?
Second issue the President is obviously weighing is the integrity of the country’s internal capacity for the resolution of crises.
Over the years, this country has evolved ways of dealing with problems, real or imagined that threatened its existence from time to time. The amazing thing about it is that solutions emerge from within, that is without the involvement of external influences. This is why we have come this far.
In his desire to build a country in which every part is carried along, he is mindful of the fact that if any part of the body is paralyzed, the whole body cannot be said to be alright. The President is mindful of the fact that the Delta region is an important part of the whole.
But as he charts his course for a permanent peace in the Niger Delta, it is important however that militants don’t mistake his efforts as a sign of weakness.
Garba Shehu Is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity. [myad]