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Brass LNG
- Obasanjo's Charade, ChevronTexaco's Folly
We wish to condemn in very strong terms the recent attempt by Gen.
Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) to hoodwink, mock, our and rip-off our people during
the groundbreaking for the Brass LNG Project.
We believe that General Obasanjo and his goons coerced ChevronTexaco to
pull out from the Brass LNG Project and push for the dubious Olokola LNG
project. By this singular act, Chevron Texaco has been declared persona non
grata in the Niger Delta and will continue to bear the brunt of this folly for a
very long time. Whatever must be done to ensure that Chevron Texaco continues to
feel the pain of this decision will be done by any means necessary.
The Olokola LNG project represents an unarguably ludicrous and dastard
attempt by the Obasanjo junta to shortchange the people of the Niger Delta of
their resources and inheritance.
We wish to condemn all those who were party to the decision to create
the Olokola gimmick with gas obtained from the graves and blood of our
forefathers. We condemn in all fullness, the Ijaw and Niger Delta stooges who
served in the Obasanjo regime and lacked the nerve to speak out against this
injustice for fear of loosing their jobs. These people are a disgrace to the
Ijaw and Niger Delta struggle.
Let us remind them that the position that they occupy today is a result
of the years of undaunted struggle for the liberation of our people. Their
betrayal will never be forgiven. The blood of the martyrs who have fallen thus
far will call them to judgment.
It is inconceivable that Chevron Texaco and its partners in the Olokola
gimmick believes that by getting its gas from offshore, they can be protected
from our ability to sabotage the Olokola facility. We will test the integrity of
that protective measure.
At the same time, we wish to commend ConocoPhilips for being a part of
the success of the project. We will do the best we can to support ConocoPhilips
and ensure that they enjoy a fruitful and productive time in Brass in particular
and the Niger Delta in general. Let us warn that the old ways whereby they owe
dubious allegiance to the corrupt hegemony in Abuja while neglecting their
mandate to our people will no more be tolerated.
We wish to remind all stakeholders in the development of the Niger Delta
that ChevronTexaco has continued to exhibit unparalleled levels of ingratitude
in almost all the communities that they operate in. They will therefore be
repaid in kind.
We wish to warn all heroic combatants of the Niger Delta struggle to
resist the lure of filthy lucre currently being dangled before them by top
management of Chevron Texaco.
We have a mandate to restore to our people a dignity that was stolen
from them long ago.
The Struggle is on Course!!
Cynthia Whyte
Spokesperson, Joint Revolutionary Council
[Reformed Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force NDPVF, The Movement for
the Emancipation of the Niger Delta MEND & The Martyrs Brigade]
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URGENT: Nigerian
Civil Rights Crusader is Dying and Needs Medical Intervention!
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
ASARI DOKUBO, The Ijaw Minority Rights
Campaigner IS ON HIS DEATH BED, tortured, denied medical treatment, and placed
in solitary confinement.
We are writing to ask for your help in
restoring Asari’s fundamental human dignity to life as he is caught in the
clutches of the Nigerian government. Death has come to many well-known Nigerians
in state custody in recent years. This travesty is about to occur again before
our very eyes.
The matter of Asari Dokubo’s arrest and
his crusade as a minority advocate has earlier been conveyed in a communiqué by
the Sons and Daughters of Buguma in the USA (copy attached). The Nigerian
authorities arrested Asari over a year ago charged with treasonable felony.
Asari is a strong advocate for the just and equitable distribution of the oil
resources extracted in the Niger Delta, the land occupied by Nigeria’s
persecuted minorities. His travails result from such advocacy. At the last court
hearing, the prosecution submitted that Asari’s whereabouts was unknown.
Asari Dokubo is a man of dialogue and
strongly believes the deprivation of his people could be resolved through
peaceful communication. The Niger Delta region is in total chaos because Asari
Dokubo, the voice of the people is locked up. The consequence of non action by
the Nigerian government is the restlessness in the region. Should Asari Dokubo
be silenced forever in prison, the people of the Niger Delta will respond in
kind. OUR SON MUST NOT DIE – HEAR OUR CRY, HIS CRY FOR HELP – DEMAND ANSWERS
FROM THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT and intervention from international community.
Denied medical treatment and all
visitations by his personal physician by the notorious Nigerian State Security
Services (SSS), Asari is facing life-threatening conditions that may lead to his
premature death. The facts are detailed in Asari’s physician’s letter sent to
President Obasanjo.
Two medical reports-- the first by Asari’s
personal physician; the second by an American specialist reviewing Asari’s
laboratory reports--both have reached dire conclusions regarding Asari’s state
of health (attached). His health is deteriorating fast and death may be
imminent.
Asari’s deteriorating health, complicated
by his physical and psychological torture and confinement in an unventilated
underground cellar, is further aggravated by the repeated harsh treatment
(including sleeping on a bare floor, denial of basic hygienic care, food, etc.)
and this has created the medical emergency that threatens Asari’s life. We are
troubled that help may be too late arriving to right this wrong; so we appeal to
the International Committee of the Red Cross, Amnesty International, Doctors
Without Borders, and other humanitarian bodies to intercede on behalf of Asari.
Asari Dokubo is dying and requires
immediate medical treatment.
Alhaji Asari Dokubo needs medical
attention now, not later. He is desperately ill. His physician, who attempted
to visit him in prison in October, reported that "he was not allowed to see him
and that the security guards would not even admit to knowing his whereabouts.”
The conditions of Asari’s confinement as assessed by the personal physician
amount to state-sanctioned torture.
We are asking that at the next hearing
(November 7, 2006) Doctors without Borders or similar independent medical bodies
be allowed to examine him and that their recommendations be immediately complied
with.
Secondly, that The International Red Cross
be allowed to visit him in prison twice a week and assess his personal needs.
According to Nigerian law, prisoners suffering from serious medical conditions
have the right to be released for diagnosis and treatment.
Please prevail on the Nigerian government
to release Asari Dokubo on health grounds NOW. Asari Dokubo is a political
prisoner and must not be tortured to death.
We are concerned and vehemently demand
that Asari Dokubo must not die in detention. We are categorical in this demand
because Nigeria has not shown in the past that it can protect citizens in state
custody, neither does it protect its citizenry. We are in trepidation from the
fact that the late Nigerian patriot and presidential candidate, Moshood Abiola,
and the late Chief of Staff of the Supreme Military Council, General Yar’Ardua,
both lost their lives under mysterious circumstances while in federal custody—a
travesty that still remains confounding.
Thank you.
Chief Mpaka Princewill
Chairman, Kalabari Political Action
Committee, INC
1897 Clove Road
Staten Island, NY 10304
Copies To;
Doctors Without Borders
Human Rights Watch
International Committee of the Red
Cross
President Bill Clinton
President Jimmy Carter
British High Commission
Ambassador John Campbell, U.S. Embassy,
Abuja, Nigeria
Dr. Condoleezza Rice, U. S. Secretary of
State
Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General, United
Nations, New York, NY
U.S. Rep. Melvin L. Watt, Chair,
Congressional Black Caucus, Washington, DC
Amnesty International
The Nigerian Red Cross
Mr. Phillip Carter, Director, Office of
West African Affairs
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International Crisis Group
warns on Nigeria’s unity |
The International Crisis Group (ICG), a
Belgium-based non-governmental organisation, has alerted on the imminent crisis
awaiting Nigerian nation, if the country fails to engage with issues of resource
control, equal rights, power sharing and accountability.
In its latest report, entitled: "Nigeria’s Faltering
Federal Experiment", published in Brussels, the group noted that Nigeria’s
federal system and politics were deeply flawed, contributing to rising violence
that threatens to destabilise the country.
The report added, "Failing to encourage genuine
power sharing, has sparked dangerous rivalries between the centre and the 36
states over revenue from the nation’s oil and other natural resources; promoted
no holds-barred struggles between interest groups to capture the state and its
attendant wealth; and facilitated the emergence of violent ethnic militias;
while politicians play on, and exacerbate inter-communal tensions, to cover up
their corruption".
The group, which had in its September reports
recommended a 50 per cent derivation to the oil-producing states over a
five-year period, said the government had been quick to brand many of the
symptoms, especially the rise of militancy, as simple criminality to be dealt
with by more police and troops.
It also observed that the government has an
obligation to deal with violence by the full rigour of the law, adding that it
needs to seek deeper into the circumstances that gave rise to the trouble. On
the way out of the current political crisis in the country and how sanity could
return into the oil rich coastal area, the group enjoined the government to
grant a
significant level of resource control to local
communities and replace the federal character principle.
In the alternative, the group advised the government
to create a "democratic constitutional reform process that would allow
Nigerians, so often since independence under military governments, to engage for
the first time in a free and wide-ranging debate over restructuring the
country’s power-sharing arrangements".
Among other issues geared towards ensuring a lasting
in the country, the report, which was made available to Financial Standard via
email, said, to further encourage equitable distribution of national wealth,
there was need for government a review of laws that have deprived communities of
their lands and birthrights, leading to reform of the 1978 Land Use Act and
repeal of the 1946 minerals Act and the 1969 Petroleum decree; and encourage
non-oil producing states to develop new revenue generating capacity in
agriculture, tourism, and solid minerals.
To ensure fair implementation of the federal
character principle, the body encouraged the government to establish
constitutionally, or by federal law, that an individual is a resident of a
state, if born there or living there for at least five
years.
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JOINT
REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL
(Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta, The Reformed Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force & The
Martyrs Brigade)
At the last so-called coastal states meetings
in Abuja, the ruler of the Nigerian state General Olusegun Obasanjo, in his
characteristic intimidative and vindictive manner spewed invectives and
undermined the integrity of the Niger Delta struggle and those who push forth
the realisation of the fullness of its objectives.
At that meeting, General Obasanjo
lied in the full glare of history, posterity and the international community. At
that meeting, General Olusegun insulted the integrity and pedigree of our
eternal hero Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro. At that meeting, the maximum ruler of the
Nigerian state insulted the pedigree of the leading light of the Niger Delta
struggle and challenged the might and ability of our heroic combatants. At that
meeting, General Olusegun challenged the might, ability and capability of the
Gods of our land and the heroic combatants who have in the past months, driven
up the need to amend the unpleasance of the Niger Delta question. At that
meeting, the vindictive and maximum ruler of the Nigerian state mistook our
silence for weakness and in that moment, push the frontiers of anger much too
much. Let us remind the old General, that the act of intimidation and
vindictiveness is not a privilege granted to him only. Let us remind the
ungrateful General, that when he was shamefully towed into the gallows by his
junior office Sani Abacha, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari was one of the very few
people who stood up against The Abacha kakistocracy and denounced his arrest.
Let us also remind General Olusegun Obasanjo that the pilfering and pillages of
our resources by past military regimes remain one of the greatest causes of the
current unrest in the Niger Delta. General Obasanjo and his friends looted our
resources and frittered aways the loots from our land to establish unbelievable
acres of farmlands, estates and fortresses while our people wallowed in squalor
and poverty and the reality of despoiled farmlands.
Inspite of all this, this General
and current ruler of the Nigerian state was able to summon the temerity to
insult our forebears and the integrity of or struggle.
In furtherance thereof, The Joint
Revolutionary Council (comprising the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger
Delta, The Reformed Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force and The Martyrs
Brigade) hereby declare with immediate effect "OPERATION BLACK NOVEMBER". In
this declared operation, we shall be swift, firm and painstakingly decisive. We
shall be hard-hitting, vengeance seeking and pain inflictingly. The time for
some measure of just recompense has come.
To this effect, we order all oil
operating companies, service companies and imperialist collaborators of the
Nigerian state to seal off operations in the Niger delta and vacate in the next
72 hours.
Any operations, personnel,
facilities & infrastructure (moving or stationary) will be considered an
enemy and taken out. We shall hit those that come after us and those that go
before us. At this point in time, mercy is not a virtue that we can hold any
claim to.
We commend the forthrightness,
strength and visionary leadership of our supreme and esteemed leader Alhaji
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.
We commend the efforts of all
those who have continued to believe in the integrity and purpose of our
struggle. We commend all those who have continued to believe in the ability and
capability of our patriotic and heroic combatants. We commend and thank you all.
We will not fail to also commend the efforts of the international community
whose to the junta of General Olusegun Obasanjo have clearly fallen on aged and
slowly deafening ears. We condemn in all fullness, all the weak governors of the
bantustan states of the Niger Delta who lack the true mandate of their people
and have become dumb stooges of the ruling general. We have spoken.
The Struggle Continues.
Cynthia Whyte.
Spokesperson., Joint Revolutionary
Council
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JOINT
REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL
(Movement for the Emancipation of
the Niger Delta, The Reformed Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force & The
Martyrs Brigade)
Press Release: We have not yet
declared a ceasefire
As we watch in complete derision, the foolishness and
stupidity of those who claim to lord over the Nigerian state today, we have no
choice but to declare that we have not yet ceased hostilities with the Nigerian
state and her imperialist collaborators. Rather, we are watching and waiting for
any semblance of reprisal action against our already impoversihed community by
the malnourished, untrained and ill equipped security agents and armed forces of
the poorly contrapted Nigerian state.
In furtherance thereof, and in line with a renewed resolve to
ensure the total realisation of the combined Ijaw and Niger Delta collective, we
call on the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) take up all
negotiations on behalf of all the alliance groups of the Joint Revolutionary
Council (JRC).
At this point in our history where a majority of so-called
Ijaw and Niger Delta elders and leaders have sold their conscience for a pot of
porridge sauced with filthy lucre, we are at good liberty to discern those who
have lost their rights to speak on behalf of our people.
In line with this reality, and in the spirit of the new
consciousness, we demand the leadership of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to
take up with immediate effect all negotiations on behalf of the Joint
Revolutionary Council and those who seek to understand with the values on
which our struggle is pivoted.
We are not ignorant of the devices of the dubious Nigerian
state and those who think they can continue to short change our people from a
destiny that was divinely appointed to us. We reject this and will continue to
fight for that which is ours.
We condemn in all fullness, political leaders who have not
been able to fulfill their promises to their people and yet seek higher offices.
We see this as a grave betrayal of the 'pseudo-mandate' given by the people and
a collosal waste of resources, privilege and trust. It is demonic for any one
who shown grave incompetence in dealing with smaller things to believe that he
can confront the challenges of the bigger picture. It shall come to pass that
such undeserved vision shall be tamed.
The real enemies of our people are those who have
misappropriated our resources in the pursuit of vanity and self glory. These
shall receive their reward at the appointed time.
We repeat our demand for the release of our supreme and
esteemed leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari as a condition for the dawn of real
peace in the Niger Delta. Let us remind those that hold the dance floor today
that those who mete out discomfort shall be rewarded in good measure at the
appointed time.
The Struggle Continues
Cynthia Whyte
Spokesperson, Joint Revolutionary Council
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JOINT REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL
[NDPVF, MEND & The Martyrs Brigade]
Release Dokubo-Asari or Get Ready for War!
Hours ago, heroic and patriotic combatants of the Joint Revolutionary
Council (JRC) comprising NDPVF, MEND & The Martyrs Brigade, once again
demonstrated their ability to call to naught, the insincerity and dubiousness of
the corrupt and satanic Nigerian state.
The key victims of this confrontation were soldiers who at one time or
the other, attacked our communities and assaulted our people. This judgment will
be continued, on-going and sustained. We will scale up this campaign with every
show of insincerity on the part of the Nigerian state and those that lord over
it.
The purpose of this celebration of ability and capability was to prove
to the armed forces of the Nigerian state that we can take on them anywhere,
anytime and anyhow.
As combatants who recognize the need to respect the rules of engagement,
we resisted all urge to smoothly take out all the malnourished and underpaid
soldiers of the Nigerian state. However, those who felt the temptation to test
our might were rewarded by the fatal venom of our bullets. This is just the
beginning.
We demand once again, the unconditional release from the gallows of the
Nigerian state, the flag bearer and leading light of the Ijaw and Niger Delta
struggle, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari.
IF this demand is not met in good time, we will roll out the drums of
war and our heroic and patriotic combatants will begin a revolution against all
interests and agents of the Nigerian state as well as her imperialist
collaborators.
We will at our time, put the proclaimed might of the armed forces of the
Nigerian state to the test.
The test of the pudding has always been in the eating!
The Struggle continues
Cynthia Whyte
Spokesperson, Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC
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JOINT REVOLUTIONARY
COUNCIL
Comprising
NDPVF, MEND & The Martyrs
Brigade
Press Release: Open Letter to the International
Community
For more than one year now, our patriotic and esteemed leader Alhaji
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari has been under the detention of the very dubious, satanic,
corrupt and morally bankrupt forces that today lord over the contraption called
Nigeria.
At the time of his arrest, he had gladly taken up the role of
'Peacemaker' in the Niger Delta and beyond providing a bridge between warring
personalities, groups and communities. In spite of this, the hegemony that rules
the Nigerian contraption thought it wise to criminally arrest and detain our
leader and flag bearer of the Ijaw struggle.
Let us make this very clear. We do not and cannot beg for his release.
As the flag bearer of the Ijaw and Niger Delta, and as a great grandson of the
famous Kalabari warrior King Amachree, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari has always
known that persecutions, trials and dark clouds will always arise. We believe
that his current travels are part of the dictates of his onerous calling. Great
men have always passed that route.
We commend the efforts of the International Community especially the
United States and Great Britain for recognizing the grievousness of the Niger
Delta question. Through the efforts of progressive minded groups, organizations
and persons in the United States of America, the griming degree of our pain,
poverty and plight has become a subject of discussion on high profile desks.
However, we condemn in all fullness, the activities of dubious,
sycophant and corrupt organizations such as GoodWorks International and the Leon
H. Sullivan Foundation which have over time served as conduits for the
frittering away of our monies without recourse to subtle remorse. The
organizations have partnered with the corrupt regime of General Obasanjo to
unleash on citizens of the Nigerian state criminally minded development
initiatives such as The Obasanjo Library. These organizations have also connived
with ChevronTexaco to siphon large amounts of monies in the name of creating
programmes to improve the quality of lives of poor Niger Delta people.
In furtherance therefore, we demand the full closure and disruption of
the activities of these satanic groups in the Niger Delta.
We also demand in all fullness, the unconditional release of Alhaji
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari from the gallows of the Nigerian state.
Failure to accede to these demands will incur our wrath. We are poised
to begin another round of grim hostilities on the Nigerian state and its
imperialist collaborators. We condemn all those who seek to cheapen the Niger
Delta struggle by resorting to commercial hostage taking. In the future, there
shall be no hostage taking or keeping by our group or alliance members. IF in
the circumstances that we are forced to take hostages, they shall merely be
serving the purpose of human shields and will never be used as bargaining tools.
All future hostages that may be taken WILL be agents and collaborators
of the Nigerian state.
This is our word for the moment.
The Struggle Continues
Cynthia Whyte
Spokesperson, Joint Revolutionary Council
(JRC)
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NIGER DELTA PEOPLES SALVATION FRONT
(NDPSF) NATIONAL SECRETARIAT
13 Agudama Ave.
D-Line, Port-Harcourt
Website: www.akumafiete.org email: ndpsf@akumafiete.org
Mobile: 0803 931 0668, 0802
768 8711
LEADER: Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari
ONE MORE STEP IN THE
DARK TOWARDS MIDNIGHT
When the judiciary starts to give
judgments in favour of unquestionable powers for the government, when the rights
of an individual can be judicially stopped because of the fear of the opposition
by a regime, when disagreeing with the views of the head of state constitutes a
threat to national security, wherein lies the ‘democracy’? The right of the people to
challenge tyranny can never be limited by any constitution or law. It is even in
recognition of this that all constitutions are assumed to have been made by the
people so that good governance, law, and order can be guaranteed. Nevertheless,
when a ruler assumes or arrogate to himself, the sovereignty of the people he
ought to be rebelled against. In every society, there must be a certain amount
of honour just as there must be certain amount of light. Whereas there are many
men without honour, there are those who carry the honour of many men in them.
They are the heroes of progressive change. The judiciary will be guilty of
tyranny and suppression if they make judicial laws that empower a tyrant to
crush or suppress the voice of the people represented in the voice of a few men
of honour.
On Tuesday June 6, 2006; the
court of Appeal of the Nigerian State sitting in Abuja crushed the effort of the
counsels to Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari to secure bail for the our patriotic,
heroic and indefatigable leader, by delivering a ruling that can be described as
‘one more step in the dark towards midnight’. The ruling implied that Asari has
been pronounced guilty even when trial has not commenced. The Gestapo nature of
the ruling places it in the class of the anti-people and anti-democratic rulings
of the likes of Justice Egbo Egbo. It is a defeat on the effort of progressive
force in seeking for a dependable ally in the judiciary against dictatorship,
injustice, and tyranny. The implication is that any member of the opposition can
because of this ruling, be arrested, detained, refused bail, and kept away from
trial just by a mere wish of the maximum ruler of the Nigerian
State.
Furthermore, the ruling failed to
satisfy the fundamental principles of law and morality. With the Nigerian State
failing, in eight month, to produce evidence and witnesses to prove their case
beyond reasonable doubt, it has been shown that the Obasanjo regime is only
trying to victimize Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo–Asari for daring to speak out,
un-behalf of the his people against subjugation and exploitation. To further
buttress, this point, Dr. Peter Odili’s wife, Justice of the Court of Appeal
sitting in Abuja, made sure she was in the courtroom on the day of this
anti-people ruling to oversea the delivery of the wish of her husband and
General Obasanjo, just like the Biblical story of Saul presiding over the
persecution of Stephen. This makes the ruling to be like the voice of Jacob and
the hand of Esau. Do not forget that it was the disagreement between .
Dr. Peter Odili and himself over
the rigging of 2003 general elections that led to the attempt on his life and
consequently the 2004-armed campaign in Eastern Nigeria Delta, which is also
informing his persecution today.
We call on all the progressives
to mobilize the masses to demand for freedom and justice for our people.
Thanks.
The struggle is
unstoppable!
Mark Olise
Director of Administration
NIGER DELTA PEOPLES SALVATION FRONT
(NDPSF) NATIONAL SECRETARIAT
13 Agudamd Ave.
D-Line, Port Harcourt
Website: www.akumafiete.org email: ndpsf@akumafiete.org
Mobile: 0803 931 0668, 0802
768 8711
LEADER: Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari
DISCLAIMER
The Niger Delta Peoples Salvation
Front (NDPSF), which is the political arm of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer
Force (NDPVF), has been alerted of a press statement purportedly issued
un-behalf of a Joint Revolutionary Council which claims to be representing a
coalition of the NDPVF, Martyrs Brigade and MEND. The said press statement
claimed responsibility for today’s (07/06/06) early morning confrontation between the
Nigerian Military and armed militants in the Niger Delta. The NDPSF/NDPVF
dissociates itself from the said confrontation. At no time did the Supreme
Command, Central Command and the Central Working Committee of the NDPVF/NDPSF
went into or decided to go into an alliance with any of the above named
organization who are also fighting for the liberation of our people.
Comrade Cynthia White resigned
her membership of the NDPVF and along with others formed the Martyrs Brigade.
She has not returned to the NDPVF or NDPSF. When she was a volunteer, she was
not a member of the Supreme Command or the Central Command. She was just a
member of the Central Working Committee of the NDPVF and a personal spokesperson
for our esteemed and patriotic leader, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari. She
left the organization when our leader was arrested in violation of the 2004 Abuja Peace Accord.
Furthermore, Col. Umar
Suku-Amachree was never a member of the Supreme Command. He was only a member of
the Central Command whose decision was subject to that of the Supreme Command
and the Central Working Committee, which are the highest decision-making bodies
of our organization. He cannot make decisions un-behalf of our organization.
They have the right to form organizations but they should not draft the name of
our organization into a conscription that does not fall in line with the due
process of the decision-making framework of our organization. We are not part of
the conscription called Joint Revolutionary Council and will not be responsible
for their actions.
Finally, we commend and support
all genuine efforts of MEND, Martyrs Brigade and other organizations to secure
freedom and good life for our people and region. Eternal vigilance is the price
for liberty.
Thank you.
The struggle is
unstoppable!
Mark Olise
Director of Administration
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AN OPEN LETTER TO
THE PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN STATE
MY POSITION FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT OF
THE NIGER DELTA IMBROGLIO
INTRODUCTION
I am Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, an Ijaw of Kalabari
extraction. I was born on the 1st day of June 1964 in Asari in the Kalabari
Kingdom of the Ijaw nation to the Late Hon. Justice and Mrs. Melford Goodhead.
Being the first child of my family, I was brought up in accordance with the
traditional, cultural and religious belief of the Kalabari people under the
tutelage of my grand mother. My grand mother, Princess Okukuba Wilkinson
Dokubo Goodhead (Nee Tom Princewill) is of the distinguished Amachree Dynasty.
She was a bridge between the glorious old Kalabari kingdom and the new modern
dispossessed Kalabari within the context of the Nigerian state. The story she
used to tell me about the life of old when our people lived with dignity and
self respect was replaced with subservience, impoverishment, diseases, shame and
death. Our land has been reduced to a barren, infertile wasteland, occasioned
by oil exploration, exploitation and production in an unholy trinity of
imperialist home government, their multinational oil corporations, and the
government of the Nigerian state. Throughout my early education at the Baptist
day school Asari (Buguma), Township School Port Harcourt, Baptist High School
Port Harcourt, my grand mother always reminded me of our glorious past when we
were masters of our own fate and destiny in contract to the destitution and the
impoverishment of today. Being schooled in this environment of retrogression,
I have no other option than to fight for the restoration of the glorious past.
I do not seek any recognition or benefit from any government or individual. For
me it is my natural duty to do what I am doing.
CONDITIONS FOR COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT
1. The resources belong to the people who own the land
and it is criminal, inhuman and ungodly to dispossess a people of their right to
their land. Those in the government of the Nigerian state know that it is
unjust and you have continued to appropriate the land and the resources of our
people because of your erroneous belief that we are small in number and you are
many, we are weak and you are strong, that if we attempt to obstruct your path
to the exploration and exploitation of our land, you will crush us as you did to
Umuechem, Odi and Odioma. But today, you have realized that this method of
genocide can no longer sustain your instrument of oppression and repression
against our people. Do we need to pick up arms before you come to the
realization of the fact that you are violating the commandments of God, who
commanded that thou shall not remove the ancient land marks? You have
disinherited us of our natural patrimony and you must return it to
us.
2. You disregarded all agreements I had with you on the 1
st day of October 2004, marking the 44 years of independence from the British
Crown of your Nigerian State. You do not have respect for agreement. Your
belief is that you will always have your way, because you have the number and
the instrument of intimidation and destruction, but you can realize now that
these instruments are not in perfect working condition. For peace to be
restored to the Ijaw and Niger Delta region, you must go back to respect this
gentleman agreement between us. The question is not Dokubo Asari, the agreement
we had that day represents the people at home and they will be the people who
will have the final say in this matter.
3. The developmental option which you claim to have
adopted is an old sing song of the Nigerian State. We are not dancing to its
rhythm and drum beat because we can see through it. Where is the Niger Delta
Development Board? Where is 1.5% Derivation Fund Committee? Where is Oil
Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC) and Niger Delta
Development Commission (NDDC)? Your Cheer Leaders and Praise Singers will
applaud your new initiatives but we know better. We will no longer be
hoodwinked. Our firm belief is that the resources belong to the people who own
the land. This is Trite's Law giving by God himself and anybody who want to
overturn this is fighting against the natural order of things. We will never
compromise on these issues.
4. There is an easy route out for all of us in this
imbroglio; it is for us to convoke a Sovereign National Conference of all
nationalities that were fraudulently and forcefully conscripted into Nigeria.
The outcome/decision of the Sovereign National Conference should be subjected to
plebiscite in all the nations.
CONCLUSION
It is only men of great moral standing that can bring an end to this
vicious circle of crisis in Ijaw and Niger Delta region. You can choose to be
one of them. May God help you to make a good decision?
Thank you.
Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari
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OIL PRICE 'LL HIT $ 100 PB, ASARI'S GROUP
WARNS
AKANIMO SAMPSON
BUREAU CHIEF, PORT HARCOURT
NIGER Delta Peoples' Salvation Front (NDPSF)
, the political arm of the of the Niger Delta Peoples' Volunteer
Force (NDPVF)-led by the detained Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari, has
warned that oil prices might hit $100 per barrel in the next few
weeks.
The group claimed in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,
on Saturday, that the Niger Delta militants were bent to release the worse form
of violence on the oil and gas region in the next couple of days. According to
the Dokubo-Asari group, ''a fresh festival of violence is currently threatening
to creat the worse refugee problems in Africa following the reluctance of Abuja
to play ball on the earlier agreements reached with the
militants''.
Continuing, they claimed that Abuja and Dokubo-Asari, in 2004
sealed a deal on the following conditions that the Nigerian state was allegedly
going to convene a Sovereign National Conference to address a lot of issues
bordering on the question of control and nationality; that their peaceful
activities were not disturbed; that arms in the possession of the militants
should be submitted to the authorities; that amnesty was granted to Dokubo-Asari
and others who participated in the earlier armed campaign; and that Abuja was
not going to arrest the militants for their role in the armed conflict in the
oil and gas region.
Speaking at a world press briefing on Saturday, Director of
Administration, Mark Olise, and his Media and Publicity counterpart Onengiya
Erekosima, for the NDPSF alleged that the first violation of the peace deal was
the refusal of Abuja to convene the Sovereign National Confasb to address the
problematic national problem of Nigeria, pointing out that instead, government
resorted to a National Political Reform Conference which was allegedly composed
of the allies of Aso Rock
They are also accusing Abuja of disrupting their celebration
of the Boro Day, which was aimed at marking the remembrance of the foremost Ijaw
nationalist, the late Major Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro, adding that Abuja also
insigated the arrest of Dokubo-Asari. According to them, the militant wing of
the Dokubo-Asari group are now of the view that since Abuja has allegedly not
been playing ball,''it will be cowardly andstrategically unwisefor them not to
return to armed struggle''.
Adding, they said, ''there is nothing the rest of us in the
leadershiop of the political wing can do to stop the looming disaster in the
Niger Delta. The situation will be catasrophic because the militants have
decided to launch another canival of violence which they have code-named
'Operation Boro'. We are therefore, calling on all foreign nationals to vacate
or be careful about their movement so that they will not become unfortunate
victims of this festival of violence that is threatening to create the greatest
refugee problem in the world''
To save the situation, they are therefore, demanding for the
immediate , unconditional and irreversible release of Dokubo-Asari, government's
formal recognition and support to the Pro- National Conference (PRONACO) talks,
withholding of the 2007 elections till a referendum was conducted to adopt the
resolutions of the PRONACO parley, President Olusegun Obasanjo should dissolve
his administration and haNd-over to an Interim National Government to ensure the
foregoing, and that the international community should send a special delegation
to the country and the Niger Delta in particular, to help resolve the
socio-economic, political and environmental problems in the area. ENDS
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We Will Bring Them to Judgement
!
We the Ijaws and Niger Delta people have come
to realize the treacherous nature of our so-called political elites who dress
themselves in the garb of leadership of our people. Their actions and
antecedents have betrayed them. Today, we are faced with an arrested political,
economic and social development in the Ijaw and Niger Delta territories courtesy
of these so-called political elites.
When our patriotic and esteemed
leader Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari openly accused DSP Alamieyeseigha, Executive
Governor of the Bantustan of Bayelsa (now wrongfully and illegally imprisoned by
the Nigerian state) of fretting away the crumbs that trickle in from Aso Rock,
he was condemned by these vendor elites and their faceless youth and cultural
organization.
Today these same vendor political elites have betrayed,
abandoned and deserted DSP Alamieyeseigha. The present wholesale initiation of
grotesque support for the life presidency (AKA Third term) of General Olusegun
Obasanjo, maximum ruler of the Nigerian state by these same vendor political
elites have totally and finally evaporated any hope in the minds of our people
that the individuals have any respect for the hope, aspirations and interests of
Ijaws and Niger Deltans.
The ghoul of this betrayal has re-invigorated us
into a new era of revolutionary resistance. The Ijaw and Niger Delta people have
decided forthwith to direct our acts at these vendor political elites. We hereby
declare that any governor, senator, house of representative member, house of
assembly member, traditional ruler, so-called youth leaders and politicians, who
expresses or canvasses votes in support of the life time presidency AKA Third
Term will be tried in the People’s Revolutionary Courts and if found guilty,
would be executed.
We will wait for them in the streets, in their
pleasure houses and hideouts, in their places of worship, in their homes etc. we
will strike at them like lightening and bring them to pay for the betrayal of
their people and nation. Any one who is in the habit of associating with these
vendor political elites should henceforth desist from associating with them at
these mentioned places. Failure to heed and adhere to this advice will be met
with very dare consequences, the outcome of which is predictable.
We
stand with the people.
Colonel Umar Suku-Amachree Field Commander,
Operation Isaac Boro Central Command Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force
NDPVF
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AKUMA FIE TE' – The Drums of War Are
Sounding
Let it be known to all this day that the madness
that led to the injustice meted against our innocent local people in the bombed
Ijaw communities will not go unpunished. We will match this madness with intense
fury and rage that will be delivered to every conspirator that was party to the
bombing of Ijaw communities some days ago.
To this end, we have declared as part of
Operation 'Dark February', Operation 'Track the Perpetrators'. We will go after
those that gave the order and those that obeyed the order. Nothing in their
existence will ever be the same again.
And for the infidels who choose to undermine our
resilience and sought to test our will, we will fill your lives with
grief!
In a show of goodwill to the international
community and as a show of reverence to our elders, we succumbed to pressures to
release the earlier seized hostages. Rather than begin to orchestrate processes
that will jumpstart positive dialogue directed towards improving the quality of
life of our people, the Nigerian state began its campaign to decimate our
population by killing our people so that they can reap our oil with ease and
zeal. Enough is enough!!
Any negotiation that does not begin with the
release of our illustrious son and flag bearer of the Ijaw struggle Alhaji
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari is a waste of time. Any attempt to circumvent the wheel by
the despotic Nigerian state will be met with the angers of our ancestors with
whose spirits we fight with today.
We shall keep the hostages and there shall be no
tea party any more. We will no more be given to the intervention of our elders
who will only be used and dumped by the agents of the Nigerian state who had the
guts and effrontery to label us rascal elements and terrorists. If they are bent
on testing our resolve, we will kill all the hostages.
This is not the time for talk as we are too angry
to talk. We have been pushed to the wall and the enemy must crawl.
Let us once again restate our warning to every
iota of oil and gas operations in the Niger Delta especially the chief
imperialist collaborator of the Nigerian state. Leave NOW or we will hit you so
hard that you will never recover again.
Mere mortals do not drive this new consciousness
in the Niger Delta. Years of oppression, deprivation and criminal neglect have
taken their tool. Over the past 40 years, the resources of the Niger Delta have
provided for a nation led by ungrateful thieves and power hungry mongrels.
Blessed with extreme wealth, we have watched in pain, as our resources have been
used to change the deserts of Abuja into El-Dorados while our producing
communities have been left to wallow in unthinkable poverty, penury and
despoliation. Never again!!!
Cynthia Whyte
Leader, Martyrs Brigade &
Alliance Spokesperson
Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta
(MEND)
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The Martyrs Brigade.
Operation ORIDO
DANGER!
Fellows Niger Deltans,
Today we announce the formation of The Martyrs
Brigade. Out of necessity and borne out of the need to continue the path of
armed struggle as set out by our patriotic leader and esteemed leader, Alhaji
Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, The Martyrs Brigade is a break-out faction of the Niger
Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF). The goal of this group is to pursue
armed struggle to its fullest course.
Over time, the Central Command of the Niger Delta
People's Volunteer Force has refused to follow the course of armed struggle in
flagrant negation of the beliefs of the our esteemed Leader, Alhaji Mujahid
Dokubo-Asari.
Consequently, we hereby declare 'OPERATION
ORIDO DANGER', which commenced today. By this declaration, we hereby warn
all oil workers to, for their own safety, vacate the Niger Delta operational
facilities, expatriates and native Africans, including Ijaws and other Niger
Deltans, until the occupational forces of the Nigerian state vacate Ijaw and
Niger Delta communities. It is our intention to attack and destroy at every
instance, every infrastructure, facility and establishment of the Nigerian state
and her imperialist collaborators.
Today, we took out 200,000 barrels of oil per day
from Shell's production this year. Since the produced oil cannot provide any
economic and social benefit purpose flow for our people, then it must be saved
for future generations. More of such sabotage shall be carried out with great
pace.
Fellow Niger Deltans, patience and tolerance are
no more virtues that must be imbibed any longer if we must win this battle
against an ungrateful Nigerian state. We call on you all to come out and resist
the enemy wherever they are. Make life uncomfortable for them. Sabotage their
facilities. Ground their operations in whatever way you can. Make them insecure.
Destroy their joy and cause them pain, until they vacate the Niger Delta.
Every willful collaborator of the Nigerian state
is an enemy . The regla maxima of
the Nigerian state, General Olusegun Obasanjo must be made to see that there is
a limit to which you can subject a people to ridicule and exploitation.
Fellow Niger Deltans, today marks the beginning of
the true liberation of all Niger Delta people. Today marks the beginning of a
painful period where all of you must make your own sacrifice towards the
realization of a free and more empowered Niger Delta. There is no other region
in all of the continents of God's earth that has some much wealth and yet
wallows in so much poverty. We must no more be made to beg for bread when we own
the bakery. We cannot beg for jobs when we own the existence of the industry.
This is a clarion call to all of you to offer your
life SO THAT you may gain it. This bondage must not be transferred to our
children.
The Struggle Continues!
Cynthia Whyte
Chief Spokesperson, The Martyrs
Brigade
Martyrs Brigade
On Wednesday 20th of January 2006, at about 10.58 pm, armed militants of the
Martyrs Brigade blew up the petroleum products pipeline located between
Adowawa and NNPC depot along Agbor road in Benin City.
We have made it clear that the despotic forces of the occupation Nigerian
state and her imperialist collaborators should vacate the Niger Delta area
and they would not listen. Bearing great semblance to arrogance and dubious
persona of the ruler of the Nigerian State, these imperialist collaborators
have continued to scorn our alerts.
Let us make this clear to them once more. Eyes have not seen. Neither have
ears ever heard what we shall do to you and your operations in our
fatherland. We will bleed you to your marrows and you shall beg to leave our
fatherland.
The Nigerian state will see peace no more. Never again will those who cart
away our resources and leave us in abject squalor enjoy a free ride. Never
again will our people be subject to the oppressive whims and caprices of a
malicious and ungrateful Nigerian state lorded over by criminally minded
sycophants and over zealous power hungry despots.
Like the Biblical Nebuchadnezzar, General Obasanjo and his officers have
refused to give ear to our calls. Therefore we shall turn them into beasts
and they shall crawl to us and beg for mercy.
For more than 112 years, the sovereignty of our fatherland has been traded
like some cheap commodity between the British Crown and an ungrateful
Nigerian state. Our forefathers were hoodwinked into signing protectorate
treaties with the British crown. We the survivors and inheritors of these
treaties today reject it. This treaty was not legal and binding and
therefore it was more illegal for the British crown to transfer our
sovereignty to the ungrateful Nigerian state.
The Niger Delta has a population of almost 20 million people spread out in
more than 5000 communities. The region has about 5,500 oil wells, 235 flow
stations and about 7,000 km of pipeline/flow lines in almost 31,000 square
kilometers of space.
Today with all these wealth, these communities provide the perfect
description of poverty, squalor, deprivation and neglect, parading a per
capita income of less than $100. Never before in the history of God's earth
have a people so blessed been made so poor. We reject this satanic
imposition of poverty on our people and so we shall take what belongs to us
by FORCE.
We shall continue to unleash acts of sabotage against agents and
infrastructures of the Nigerian state and her collaborators until they
vacate our lands.
A word is enough for the wise and we shall not spare the rod to ensure their
demise!
The Struggle Continues
Cynthia Whyte
Leader & Spokesperson, Martyrs Brigade
Martyrs Brigade
Today, our patriotic and esteemed leader, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari,
Prince of Kalabari Kingdom and great great grandson of ancient Ijaw &
Kalabari warlord King Amakiri will once more appear in the courts of the
despotic and dubious occupation Nigerian state in Abuja.
We do not care whether a new judge will be quickly conscripted from
maiduguri, lagos, sokoto or ibadan to replace the one who was brought in to
fix the job from Benin.
We are not deterred and we will not relent. We call on the Almighty God and
the world to be our witnesses in this grave abuse of the judicial process by
the kakistocratic Nigerian state ruled by her pharaohic leader General
Olusegun Obasanjo and her officers.
By now, they would have realized that the time for TALK, TALK, and TALK is
over! Now it is time for BANG, BANG, and BANG!!
We will hit them and smoke them out from every corner of our fatherland. We
will not spare them. Our Rivers will be reddened with their blood. Our
fishes and birds of the air will feast on their flesh. If they attempt any
Odi or Odioma style invasion, we will not sit idly by. We will give to them
the way they have given to us.
To the traitors and collaborators, there shall be no hiding place for you.
We will fish you out from wherever you are hiding and feeding the enemy with
information. We will have no pity.
For you the imperialist collaborators of the Nigerian state, we warned you
before like we are warning you now to leave our territory on your own
volition, but you have chosen to scorn our warning and believe that the
occupation Nigerian forces can protect you and provide you with the security
that you desire.
Let us make this clear once again. This is only the beginning of the
beginning. The next phase of this onslaught shall be the end of the
beginning of the beginning. Then, we shall take the battle down to the
corridors of our enemies.
We call on all the groups that have emerged after our clarion call to battle
to know that we have only one sacred mandate that is to rid our fatherland
of the occupation Nigerian forces. We must work together. We are not rivals
but compatriots and pathfinders of a new Niger Delta history. There is
victory waiting for us at the other side.
Today, the Martyrs Brigade has entered into a war alliance with the 4,223
men strong Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND). We call
on other groups to come and be part of this militant revolution as we join
hands in the creation of the new history of the world's most deprived
region.
We call on all Niger Deltans; market women, unemployed & employed, all
youths, men and women to come out and be part of this historic struggle. We
must resist the enemy so that they will flee from our lands.
O yes O yes O yes, Freedom is near
I can feel it in my heart, Freedom is near
Standing at the shore, looking across the sea
I can see vividly that freedom is near.
The frontiers of war have drawn close. Let us all pick up our garments of
battle and go forth.
Cynthia Whyte
Leader & Spokesperson of the Martyrs Brigade
*The Martyrs Brigade*
Dear All,
Early this week, dedicated combatants of The Martyrs Brigade successfully
took out two high capacity crude oil pipeline operated by NNPC and Shell
Petroleum Development Company, an imperialist collaborator of the Nigerian
state and co-participant in the despicable looting and depravation of the
Niger Delta.
On this campaign, we make bold to say that we were fully able to achieve our
objective.
Our intention at this point, is to slowly and steadily cripple every
operation of those who have continued to conspire against the people of the
Niger Delta. Not one will be spared in this new onslaught.
We commiserate with all those who lost their lives or lost dear ones in the
aftermath of the strike. In both instances, we made concerted and committed
efforts to ensure that inhabitants of surrounding high-risk areas were duly
alerted and advised to evacuate.
At this point, let us restate an earlier call to all oil and gas companies
operating in the Niger Delta to henceforth evacuate or be made targets in
this new initiative. It is our intention to wipe out every existence of oil
& gas operation in the Niger Delta FOR rather than being a gain, oil and gas
has become a pain in our lives. We have been deprived, exploited, oppressed
and marginalized. In spite of the fact that our resources sustain the more
than 120 million citizens of the Nigerian contraption, we remain the least
developed region. This is unacceptable.
Our resolve to wipe out every existence of oil and gas operations in the
Niger Delta will remain unshaken as long as the oppressive and dictatorial
hegemony that lord over the Nigerian state today continue to have their way.
Their blindness to the Niger Delta question and continued intention to hold
under unlawful detention, our patriotic and esteemed leader Alhaji Mujahid
Dokubo-Asari will be resisted with every drop of our blood.
To this end, we call on all Niger Deltans who reside close to heavy oil and
gas operational infrastructures to evacuate to safer grounds as soon as they
can. In the future, we may not have the luxury to provide before-attack
alerts like we did in the near recent Edo and Rivers onslaught.
Fellow Niger Deltans, we encourage you to tighten your seat-belts and be
ready to make certain sacrifices for the soon coming rainy day. The
government of the Nigerian state and her imperialist collaborators must be
punished to the fullest.
Until we are given a pride of place in this contraption called Nigeria,
until the satanic hegemony gains the good sense to release our patriotic and
esteemed leader, we will continue to unleash grave breaches of insecurity in
their system. At maxima, we will hit right behind their backyards and cause
them to sleep no more.
While they wine and make merry this yuletide, they are happy to cause pain
and discomfort to other families. Breadwinners and heads of families are
illegally and unlawfully detained under unpleasant circumstances all because
they oppose the current status quo. This is unwelcome and should be resisted
by all. This act of wickedness must be repaid.
As they conspire to impose another term of misguided governance on us, let
us all come together and be willing to give our lives so that our children
will have a much more better life.
The season of complacency is over. We must take over that which belongs to
us.
God is with us.
Cynthia Whyte
*Chief Spokesperson, The Martyrs Brigade*
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Obasanjo May End in Utter
Disaster and Shame
By
Femi
Fani-Kayode
"I cannot surrender the sovereignty that was
given to me by the Nigerian people". President Olusegun Obasanjo, Oyo State
February, 2001.
As a direct consequence of the gradual
degeneration of the Nigerian state, the passionate campaign and vigorous
agitation for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is once
again steadily gathering momentum. For even though we have a "democratically"
elected government in power today, the fact remains that the "National Question"
is yet to be answered. And until we have searched our souls and settled some
outstanding fundamental issues that still exist among our varous nationalities,
until the brutal role of internal colonialism has been completely and
irrevocably shattered, Nigeria cannot possibly prosper and neither can she
achieve her full potentials. This is because there can be little doubt that the
many problems that this country faces cannot be solved simply by the
establishment of democracy, the provision of good government and the equitable
distribution of ministerial portfolios. There is far more to it than
that and anyone that seriously believes otherwise must have been living on
another planet for the last 41 (forty-one) years. And with all due respect to
President Obasanjo's efforts, it is painfully obvious that a sovereign national
conference remains the only permanent solution to the myriad of complex problems
in this country. For example, when did we as a people ever agree to stay
together as one? And even if we ever did what were the terms of our union? Did
the people of the south ever agree to become perpetual slaves to the Fulani
ruling class and their military collaborators? And even though we have a
southerner in power today, what happens in 2007 after Obasanjo goes? Or can he
remain there forever? Will the hegemonic forces, at that point, not insist on
taking the Presidency back to the core conservative north? And in the event of
this happening will we not have come back to square one? And in any case when
did the south ever agree to assume the role of a wealthy yet submissive and
timid wife that has been systematically and consistently cheated, raped and
sodomised by a parasitic, domineering and arrogant northern husband? And what
makes matters worse is that this is a habitually lazy husband who is not only
poverty-stricken but also barely educated and ill-prepared for the 21st
century.
Again, could the Yoruba ever seriously agree for a man like Obasanjo to
adequately and honestly represent their interests at the centre? A man who saw
"political sharia" and rather than face it squarely instead tucked his tail
between his legs and ran. Can anyone dispute the fact that the young Ganiyu
Adams is steadily acquiring the status of the William Wallace of Yoruba
politics? And in case anyone has forgotten, William Wallace was the courageous
and heroic morning-class Scotsman who gallantly led his people against the
brutal tyranny of their English overlords in the 15th century but who was
eventually betrayed by some unscrupulous members of his own Scottish ruling
class (see the film titled "Braveheart"). Even though Wallace was eventually
caught and executed by the English, the irresistible flame of rebellion to
tyranny that he had effectively and selflessly kindled eventually led to the
liberation of Scotland and to the establishment of an independent Scottish
monarchy. Let no one be in any doubt that, despite the "shoot to kill" orders
and the ongoing yet covert "elimination" policy of the federal police, there are
literally millions of closet Ganiyu Adams in the west today who are simply
waiting for the right time to manifest their outrage and disgust about what is
still happening in this country.
If you kill Ganiyu Adams today one thousand will rise up in his place and
whether anyone likes it or not the truth is that Nigeria is once again silently
on the boil. Consequently, I have no doubt that sometime in the not too distant
future a set of circumstances will unfold that will ensure that a sovereign
national conference is finally called and its recommendations will be
implemented to the letter. It is only a matter of time. Again, the truth is that
nothing has happened today that has encouraged those of us that share this view
to have cause to change our minds: economic conditions in the Nigeria of today
are far worse than they were 22 (twenty-two) months ago. And sadly it is a
notorious fact that as despicable and heartless as the Abacha administration
was, it at least managed to keep the exchange rate at approximately N80 (eighty
naira) to $1 (on dollar for almost 4 (four) years running. Yet by way of
contrast, the present administration has allowed the naira to drop to N125 (one
hundred and twenty five naira) to $1 (one dollar in just 22 months). Now let me
state categorically and clearly that this is not an indirect endorsement or an
expression of supprt for Sani "Barao" Abacha's luciferian dictatorship. Rather
it is merely a noteworthy and pertinent observation and an irrefutable statement
of fact. And even if some believe that this is "no big deal", can anyone
disagree with the brilliant Ajose Adeogun when he recently said "this country is
on its knees and in a state of crisis and yet the President is busy junketing
all over the world." And even though this writer may not be prepared to go as
far as my respected friend and "Egbon" Kanmi Ademiluyi, who recently said that,
from an economic perspective, he believes that the present administration is
"the worst since Nigeria's independence," I would certainly acknowledge the fact
that there is considerable cause for concern. And just as one small example, in
places like Apapa and Ikeja today (which are both primary industrial areas) the
Federal Government cannot even supply more than three to four hours of electric
power per day. Again in many other less "privileged" areas the residents have
not had any power supply at all for days, weeks and, in some cases, even months.
Of course, the dire implications of the fuel scarcity is an old story but even
more worrying than that is the very serious problem of the newly acquired
personality traits of President Olusegun Obasanjo. The President now seems to be
gradually relapsing to his old, pre-1995 dictatorial self and there can be
little doubt that the man suffers from what the British would describe as a
"debilitating character flaw." The truth is that is appears that of late our
President has cultivated what we in Pentecostal circles have come to recognise
as a "Saulian anointing."
He started well but he is progressively deteriorating. And if he is not
careful like the biblical Saul he will end in utter disaster and shame. Frankly,
and in my humble opinion, he would do well to once again remember the chilling
words of Pastor Tunde Bakare's "Agagian prophecy." Again it is clear that Mr
President feels unduly threatened by everyone and anyone. He does not listen. He
does not care and he appears to growl with a deep and disembling rage whenever
anyone looks at things from a different perspective to his own. He finds it
difficult to tolerate any form of criticism (even where such is constructive)
and he has cultivated an obvious and relentless contempt for intellectual
discourse. Again he has absolute disdain and contempt for those of us that
contribute to public debate and intellectual discourse and that spend some of
our time writing books or publishing articles. For people like Mr President the
influencing of public opinion through the auspices of the print media does not
matter and neither does public opinion itself count for anything. And this is to
be expected from the likes of him for there is nothing that a soldier fears more
than a powerful and loaded pen, and this is the case for one reason and one
reason alone. The bullet from a soldier's gun can kill but only once but a
well-primed shot from a powerful pen can wound and maim from generation to
generation. Mr President's attitude is further worsened and compounded by the
fact that he, for some reason or other, actually sees himself as not only an
intellectual but also as a "messiah."
He believes that he has all the
answers. He believes that he can never be wrong. Yet, sadly, the bitter truth is
that in his first coming Obasanjo sold us to the Fulani caliphate and now, in
his second, he is selling us not only to his American and Western European
backers but also to his friends at the IMF and the World Bank. The president has
turned himself into something that is akin to the proverbial heartless and
extremely wicked African slave trader who actually takes pleasure in selling and
humiliating his own people and of course when they begin to complain he attempts
to intimidate and cowed them into silence and submission and he lashes them with
his cruel whip. The truth is that this writer is sick and tired of attempting to
gloss over and rationalise the gross inadequacies of the Obasanjo administration
simply on the grounds that Obasanjo is a southerner and a Yoruba man.
The fact of the matter is that if Mr President had happened to be a northern
there would probably have been rioting in the streets of the west by now as a
consequence of the sheer incompetence and insensitivity of the Federal
Government, and in any case Obasanjo was never the Yoruba candidate so he must
stop taking the Yoruba support that he has recently cultivated for granted. We
cannot whip the children of others when they do wrong and at the same time spare
our own child the rod when he has failed. As a matter of fact, if things do not
improve I can confidently say that he will be forced by the electorate to wave
"bye'bye" to the Presidential Villa by 2003. Things are that bad. Yet I have
absolutely nothing personal against the president and I say all these things out
of love simply because I do not want him to fail in his endeavours. And when I
cast my vote for him in 2003 I want to be able to do so in good conscience and
as a consequence of his policies and not just because he is a devout Christian
and a Yoruba man that I feel that I am obliged to support for primordial
reasons.
Culled from the Comet newspaper of March 18, 2001
Dokubo charged with
treason |
By Ise-Oluwa Ige Posted to the Web: Friday, October 07, 2005
ABUJA—DETAINED leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF),
Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, was yesterday arraigned before a Federal High Court
sitting in Abuja for allegedly planning with unnamed people and societies to
topple President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government through unconstitutional means.
Asari-Dokubo was said to have conspired with the unnamed accomplices at Samsy
Hotel, Benin City, Edo State on or about August 28, this year to levy war
against President Obasanjo’s government. He was also alleged to have incited
the people of Niger Delta region to carry arms against their governors for
alleged mismanagement of public funds.
None of the organisations allegedly formed by him to achieve his goals was
included on the charge sheet neither was any individual named. The charge simply
said his accomplices were at large.
As the case got underway, the police arrested several people, some of whom
are believed to be NDPVF members. Among those arrested was Asari-Dokubo’s elder
sister, Boma, who was forced into a truck by armed policemen.
The arrest was supervised by the Commissioner of Police, Abuja Police
Command, Mr Lawrence Alobi, who stationed dozens of policemen in and around the
court premises to curtail any attempt by Asari-Dokubo’s supporters to spark
confusion.
The policemen who were brought into the court premises in a lorry and two
pick-up vans at 7.22a.m divided themselves into groups for effective policing.
They were in court before members of MASSOB and NDPVF groups could mobilise to
court.
While they were trying to position themselves, they were dispersed by a down
pour although a large number of them refused to leave the only entrance to the
OAU Quarters which houses the Federal High Court, Abuja. As soon as the rain
stopped, those who were able to enter the court premises were thoroughly
searched and questioned by the policemen.
The atmosphere was serene, however, until the accused was brought in,
shouting liberation slogans of “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! The time was exactly
9.35am. Asari-Dokubo stepped out of a cream colour J5 Boxer van, wearing a white
round neck shirt with a bold inscriptions “self-determination and resource
control any means necessary.” The photograph of the late Adaka Boro was
imprinted boldly on the top. He was not manacled and appeared unruffled.
Once he sighted his supporters, his eyes glowed and he continued the shouting
of "freedom” with a clenched fist while the security men led him into the court
room. In a moment, he was led into the courtroom number 5 presided over by a
new judge, Justice Babs Kuesi.
He walked past the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo. He was
then led to the back row of the courtroom where he was surrounded by his
supporters to allow him change his dress. One of the supporters, Mr Onegiya, who
was earlier spotting a symbolic black shirt removed it and gave it to
Asari-Dokubo to wear.
When the court eventually commenced sitting at exactly 9.39a.m, Asari-Dokubo
appeared in another dress. He was called into the dock where the court
registrar read out the information filed against him by the Attorney-General of
the Federation in line with the provisions of section 174 (1) of the 1999
Constitution. The substance of the allegation was treason. In the criminal
information, the attorney general read a five-count treason charge against
Dokubo and listed five fundamental ingredients of the charge which he tagged
“overt act of the offences of counts 1 and 2.” Specifically, the information
read to him in court yesterday goes thus:
COUNT 1 That you: (1) Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari ‘m’, 41 years old of
No. 13 Agudama Street, D–Line, Port Harcourt; and others (presently at large) on
or abut 28th August, 2005 at SAMSY Hotel, Benin City, Edo State within the
jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did conspire among yourselves to commit
felony to wit: treasonable felon; by forming an intention to: (a) Remove during
his term of office otherwise than by constitutional means, President Olusegun
Obasanjo as Head of State of the Federation and Commander in Chief of the Armed
Forces thereof: and (b) levy war in order by force, constraint, to compel the
President to change his measures, counsel and manifested such intention by
overt acts; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 41 and
punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 77, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria 1990.
COUNT 2 That you: (1) Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari (m), 41 years old of No
13 Agudama Street, D–Line, Port Harcourt, and others (presently at large) on or
about 28th August, 2005 at SAMSY Hotel, Benin City, Edo State within the
jurisdiction of the Federal High Court did commit treasonable felony against the
Federal Republic of Nigeria by respectively belonging to militant groups known
as the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF); Congress for the Liberation
of Ikwere People (COLIP) and Chikoko Movement which threatened to take up arms
in order to intimidate and overawe the President and Government of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria and manifested such intention by overt acts and you thereby
committed a felony contrary to and punishable under S.41 of the Criminal Code
Act Chapter 77 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 1990.
COUNT 3 That you; (1) Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari (m), 41 years old of
No. 13 Agudama Street, D-Line, Port Harcourt; and others (presently at large) on
or about 28th August, 2005 at SAMSY Hotel, in city, Edo State within the
jurisdiction of the Federal High Court formed, managed and assisted in the
management of unlawful societies of more than 10 persons respectively known and
called “Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force” (NDPVF), Congress for the
Liberation of Ikwere People (COLIP) and Chikoko Movement with objective of: (a)
Levying war on the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; (b)
Encouraging the killing and injuring of persons; (c) Destroying, injuring and
encouraging the destruction, and injuring of property; (d) Subverting or
promoting the sub version of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
and its officials; (e) Committing, inciting acts of violence and intimidation;
(f) Interfering with, resisting, encouraging interference with or resistance to
the administration of law; and (g) Disturbing and encouraging the disturbance of
peace in the Niger Delta states of Rivers; Delta; Edo of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria contrary to section 62 (2) (1) and punishable under section 63 of the
criminal Code Act Capt. 77, LEN 1990.
COUNT 4 That you; (1) Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari (m), 41 years old of
No. 13 Agumadam Street, D-Line, Port Harcourt. and others (presently at large)
on or about 28th August, 2005 at SAMSY Hotel, Benin City, Edo State within the
jurisdiction of the Federal High Court published a statement, rumour, report,
which is likely to cause fear and false alarm to the public knowing or having
reason to believe that such
statement, rumour, report, is false and thereby committed an offence contrary
to and punishable under Section 59 of the Criminal Code Act Chapter 77 LFN
1990.
COUNT 5 That you: (1) Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari (m), 41 years old of
No. 13 Agudama Street, D–Line, Port Harcourt; and others (presently at large)
between year 2004 and 2005 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria within the
jurisdiction of the Federal High Court are members of unlawful societies
respectively called (1) “Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force” (NDPVF) (2)
Congress for the Liberation of Ikwere People (COLIP); and (3) Chikoko Movement
and you thereby committed a felony contrary to and punishable under Section 64
of the Criminal Code Act Chapter 77 LFN 1990.
He pleaded not guilty to each of the charges. Although he was represented in
court yesterday by a battery of lawyers led by Festus Keyamo, there were
indications yesterday that Chief Gani Fawehinmi would take over his defence at
the next adjourned date.
Shortly after his plea to the charges was taken, his lead counsel, Mr Keyamo,
told the court that section 33 of the Federal high Court Act conferred
jurisdiction on the court to try Dokubo. But he quickly added that under
section 36 of the 1999 constitution, an accused person is allowed adequate time
to prepare his defence. The prosecution, he said, had just served them the
charge sheet without the proof of evidence.
He said the defence team would need the proof of evidence to enable them
prepare the accused defence very well, adding: “Even though we do not intend to
waste the time of the court or delay this trial but we want to see the names of
the prosecution witnesses, their statements and the offensive publications
referred to in the charges because this is a capital offence which on
conviction attracts death penalty We do not intend to delay the trial. Between
now and the time fixed for commencement of trial in this matter, we will file
our application for bail."
Replying, the Justice Minister said “although we are ready to go on with our
case this morning (yesterday), in view of the requests by the defence for proof
of evidence filed in this matter and adequate time to prepare their case, we
will in the interest of justice concede to adjournment. “Even though we are not
bound to give them the proof of evidence filed in this case, we will furnish
them with it. However, in view of the nature of the offences he is charged, we
request that he be further remanded in prisons custody,” he said.
But as the Justice minister was taking his seat, Keyamo stood up to say that
he was ready to go ahead with the trial and that the proof of evidence requested
by the prosecution could be produced later to which the prosecution objected,
saying he could not be blowing both hot and cold. The judge who agreed with the
Justice minister consequently asked the parties in the case to agree on a date
for definite trial.
Chief Ojo suggested a date in November. Efforts by Keyamo to get an earlier
date proved abortive as the judge said the earliest convenient date for the
court was the November 10 date suggested by the Justice minister.
As the court rose at 10.06a.m, Asari-Dokubo was led out of the courtroom by
a detachment of mobile police men and plain clothed security men. On his way out
of the court room, he kept shouting: “Freedom! Freedom.”
At 10.08 a.m, he was ushered into a waiting cream colour J5 boxer van with
number plate PF 335 HQ which brought him to court. But before he was driven out
of the court premises, one of the lawyers who represented him lifted one of
Dokubo’s two children who were also in court to see their father since he was
arrested. When the son, Ameen, saw his father, he cried: “Daddy, daddy, where
are you going again? Let us go home” and his father only responded with a kiss
and an assurance: “I will soon be back, don’t worry, I will soon be back.” At
10.09 a.m, Dokubo was driven out of the court premises for remand in a police
cell as ordered by the court.
Keyamo then spoke to newsmen who massed round him, wanting to know why Dokubo
was still insisting to fight on and why he himself did not attempt to ask at
least orally for the bail of his client while he had the opportunity in
court.
Said he: “Our concern is to ensure that all the ethnic nationalities are free
from this stranglehold of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have said that our
forebears, our forefathers did not sign any treaty. They did not make any
agreement to be part of Nigeria. That was the position in 1914 and so we are not
going to file any kind of objection. This is going to be a political cum legal
trial. We are going to bring all the treaties that the Ijaw chiefs signed with
the British people, allowing them to come to Nigeria “They did not concede any
right to the British to merge them with any other ethnic group. And so we will
go back to the basics. All we have in this country is a complete set of
oppressive laws. And after you made the oppressive laws, merging them as part of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the next thing is to appropriate their
resources, take them away from them and give them to the centre. We have said
and shown that we want equity, we want justice. All the lawyers, the team of
lawyers you see here today are volunteering their services to make sure that our
people are free once and for all. This trial is an epic trial.”
Dokubo’s sister arrested, wife speaks
But he was cut short by another member, Mark Oliseh, who ran to the newsmen :
“….she was arrested. She has been arrested. This is the height of injustice in
the Nigerian state. You picked somebody’s relation and arrested him for treason
for more than two weeks now. Today, somebody is protesting over the arrest of
his brother, you arrest her. What are they going to charge her for? We want the
CNN, I mean the international press, the local press, everybody, to cover all
these."He was referring to the arrest of Boma, Asari-Dokubo's elder
sister.
Asari-Dokubo’s wife, Mujaheedat, who was also in court said: “Alhaji Dokubo
has not committed any crime. He has no criminal record in any police station or
any court."
|
|
The Niger Delta
People’s Volunteer Force
Press Statement of
the Current Developments Following the Arrest of The Supreme Leader of the Niger
Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr
Dokubo-Asari
On Thursday October
6, 2005, at about 9.00 am Nigerian time, The Supreme Leader of the Niger Delta
People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) and Chairman of the Niger Delta People’s
Salvation Front (NDPSF), Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari would appear before the
Federal High Court, OAU Quarters, Maitama in Abuja on trumped up charges of
treason orchestrated by the government of the nigerian state headed by General
Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd).
The defence of our
Supreme Leader will be led by Festus Keyamo, supported by a tested and proven
team of seasoned legal experts.
Some weeks ago, the
leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) Alhaji Mujahid
Dokubo-Asari was invited to the office of the Rivers State Commissioner of
Police. He quickly summoned his driver and an assistant and took off for the
meeting with the police. Minutes later, he was abducted and flown to
Abuja.
After being in
detention for more than 48 hours, the Attorney General of nigeria state appeared
before a court where he charged Dokubo-Asari for treason in his absence. His
lawyer Uche Okwukwu who showed up to provide legal assistance was promptly
arrested also.
Both arrests were
done in total breach of due process and against relevant processes as spelt out
in the constitution of the Nigerian state and were sad reminders of the dictator
governments that this contraption called nigeria had experienced some years ago,
where the current head of the nigerian state was also a victim and an awardee of
an infamous life sentence. Today, this victim has begun his own
rampage.
For too long now, the
Niger Delta has been plundered and looted upon. Our rivers which used to be
great source of fishes and other sea-food have been polluted beyond the
imagination of any sane mind. Economically, socially and psychologically, the
government of the Nigerian state and her cohorts have made it clear that they
have a mission – that of despoiling the Niger Delta. They are succeeding. Our
young women have been turned into prostitutes, our lands have lost their
fertility, communities have been put at war against one another, hate has been
sold into the minds of one close neighbors. So much has gone
wrong.
Alhaji Mujahid
Dokubo-Asari is one voice that has refused to be silenced in the quest for a new
Niger Delta. He has been offered several inducements in time past by the
Nigerian state, but has constantly refused.
Today, the Nigerian
government has chosen the path of
confrontation.
However, in the
spirit of the peace that our leader has been seeking after he was granted
amnesty by the leadership of nigerian state last year, the Niger Delta People’s
Volunteer Force has decided to soft-pedal and resist the temptation to vent our
rage though violent means. The formation of the Niger Delta People’s Salvation
Front (NDPSF) was based on the need to define peaceful and pragmatic solutions
through which the voice of the Niger Delta could be
heard.
The NDPSF is a
populist political movement that seeks to gain popular political power through
the strategic alignment of the needs, desires and earnest hope for change of our
people.
We have stated
publicly our decision to stay off any violent confrontation. We have advocated
to our members and other groups, the need to build an inner resolve to pursue
peace with as much strategic intelligence as much as humanly
possible.
By this declaration,
we dissociate ourselves from any violence that may occur in the Niger Delta as a
result of the continued unconstitutional detention of Alhaji Mujahid
Dokubo-Asari. All members of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF)
have been strongly discouraged from aligning with groups that have refused to
see the need to allow the legal process, however dubious it is, to follow
through.
However, we are
consulting with all groups in the Niger Delta on the need to pursue heads-on and
innovative ways of achieving the larger Niger Delta
objective.
Over time and in
recent times, Alhaji Dokubo-Asari has expressed his disgust with corruption and
corrupt leaders. He has provided exemplary leadership and productive direction
to youths in the Niger Delta in his pursuit of peaceful methods of achieving
sovereignty and total resource takeover. Like the Kalabari Prince and
great-grandson of the founder of the Kalabari Kingdom that he is, he has
remained consistent and incorruptible. He has continued to stand out in the face
of daunting realities and staunch threats and enticements from the
government.
In 2003, in a press
statement issued by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) under Alhaji Dokubo-Asari’s
leadership as World President, he condemned the 2003 elections in Rivers and
Bayelsa State. Today, he stands vindicated. The governments of these states have
demonstrated a total lack of focus, ineptitude and have traded the leadership
and values of the people they govern to the circus masters in Abuja and sold
their soul to corruption. Today, this same man is being charged to court for
treason.
The Niger Delta
People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF) and the Niger Delta People’s Salvation Front
(NDPSF) will watch with all interest, the attempt by the government of the
nigerian state to provoke the will of all Niger Deltans. We will watch with
great interest, so that we can act with full
intent.
We are in complete
solidarity with our leader.
Thank
you.
Cynthia
Whyte
Spokesperson,
NDPVF|NDPSF
October 5,
2005
Dokubo arraigned, remanded in custody
• FG secures order to remand him in custody • To be arraigned for
treason and unlawful assembly • His lawyer also detained
• MASSOB gives
seven days’ ultimatum • PRONACO, OPC seek release
By Odudu Okpongete (Port Harcourt) Rotimi Fadeyi (Abuja) Ben Duru
(Owerri) Okey Maduforo (Awka) and Taoheed Oladele (Lagos)
The
government on Thursday secured an order from an Abuja High Court to remand the
Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples’ Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Mujaheeden
Dokubo-Asari, in police custody for the next two weeks. When investigations are
completed, he will be arraigned for treason and unlawful assembly. The order,
secured by federal Attorney General and Justice Minister, Adebayo Ojo, was
issued by Justice Adebukola Banjoko about one hour before the police brought him
to court.
Dokubo was brought in about
11.45 a.m. by a team of armed policemen and plain clothes security agents in a
Fiat Ducato Mini Bus marked NPF 4074 B. He looked robust and was unruffled as he
sat in the courtroom under the watchful eyes of security agents.
His lawyer, Uche Okwoko, who
came from Port Harcourt to secure his bail, was arrested and taken away to Force
Headquarters with Dokubo. When the police discovered that Ojo had already
secured an order for his remand, they decided to take him back to Force
Headquarters, but Dokubo protested. He said: “You can’t detain me beyond 48
hours, it’s a constitutional provision. You denied me the services of lawyers,
you held me incommunicado. My lawyer came and you arrested him without a charge.
I came here on my own volition, you didn’t arrest me. If this is what Obasanjo
claims to be a democracy, it is the highest dictatorship in the
land”.
The police ignored his
protestation and both he and his lawyer were later taken away in the vehicle
that brought him to court. Before Banjoko issued the order, Ojo had told her
that between January and September this year Dokubo was alleged to be a member
of an unlawful assembly contrary to Section 101 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
He accused him of joining an unlawful assembly, contrary to Section 104 of the
Penal Code. The judge asked Ojo: “Where is the accused? He replied: “The
accused is with the police at the FCT, he is not in court”.
Ojo told her that the
government wanted the order to remand Dokubo pending when formal charges would
be brought against him after the conclusion of investigation. He later informed
journalists why the government came to court to secure the order.
“We are here to get an order of
court to remand him in custody pending when we will file formal charges before
the court and it has been granted, the court said he should be remanded. The
charges we are going to prefer against him are treason and unlawful assembly. We
brought the matter here for cognisance before we file charges at the Federal
High Court in the next two weeks”, he said.
On the ultimatum issued by the
NDPVF that Dokubo be released, Ojo stated: “No citizen of this country can hold
the government to ransom, nobody can intimidate the government. The government
will not fold its arms and allow people to overrun it. So the government will do
everything it can to protect the citizens. It is doing everything it can to
maintain peace and order all over the country, particularly in the Niger
Delta”.
Okwokwo, Dokubo’s lawyer, is
his close associate and also President of the pro-Biafra Congress for the
Liberation of Ikwerre People (COLIP). After Dokubo’s arrest, he issued a
statement in conjunction with other activist groups describing the action as a
threat to peace in the Niger Delta. He had been reportedly quizzed by the State
Security Service (SSS) in Abuja before he was arrested on
Thursday.
Some groups, including the
Coalition of Igbo Youth Organisations (CIYO), the Movement for the Actualisation
of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), NDPVF and COLIP issued a statement
in Port Harcourt in which they described the arrest of both men as provocative.
“That the manner of arrest of Okwkwu as he went to discharge his legal duties
for … Dokubo is barbaric, uncivilised, unconstitutional and unacceptable to us”,
they said.
The statement was signed by
Obinna Okoro (CIYO), Jack Lloyd (NDPVF), Cyprian Isaiah (COLIP) and Victor Uche
(MASSOB). It threatened to cause mayhem in the Niger Delta if the two activists
are not released unconditionally without further delay. MASSOB leader, Ralph
Uwazuruike, gave the government seven days to either release Dokubo or charge
him to court. He insisted in a telephone interview that the government has no
powers to infringe on the fundamental rights of the man that has allegedly put
the Niger Delta in international limelight.
He said Dokubo has not violated
any law and that if the government feels otherwise it should go to court. His
words: “What the Nigerian Government is doing is very wrong. It is against all
known laws of international status. You can’t just arrest a person simply
because he refused to accede to what you want”. He said Dokubo engages in some
activities because his people are suffering despite the fact that they are the
goose that lays the golden egg.
“Both the Ijaw National Council
and MASSOB share the same views about the people and this is responsible for the
agreement we reached. MASSOB and Dokubo’s people are working together, the only
difference is that we have stuck to our guns that no matter the amount of raids
and embarrassments we will never pick up arms”. The MASSOB hierarchy is holding
a meeting over Dokubo’s arrest to demonstrate further solidarity with the Niger
Delta struggle. MASSOB Director of Information, Uche Madu, said the mood in the
organisation has been that of mourning and anger and that the arrest strengthens
its struggle for independence.
MASSOB members in Nnewi
described Dokubo’s travails as another plot by the government to frustrate the
voices of the oppressed. “We have been vindicated by this arrest that the
government does not like peace. They go about looking for trouble and when the
affected people react, they will call it sedition. Someone needs to tell
Obasanjo that the fire of destabilisation which he is fanning may be difficult
to extinguish”, one of them said.
The Pro-National Conference
Organisations (PRONACO) has repeated its call for the immediate release of
Dokubo. The group said it is alarmed at the strange occurrence where “after
several hours of delay, the judge appeared with a two-week detention order
without trial”.
The Centre for the Defence of
Democracy (CFTDD) described the arrest as capable of threatening democracy. Its
statement was signed by its National Coordinator, Ayodele
Adewale.
Also in a statement, Oodua
People’s Congress (OPC) National Coordinator, Gani Adams, regarded the arrest
as “vindicative, unconstitutional and fascist” and demanded his trial in court
if any offence is against him – or release him unconditionally.
More than 100 armed militants
on Thursday forced the closure of a platform owned by Chevron in response to the
arrest. They invaded the Idama platform in the Niger Delta armed with assault
rifles.
Asari-Dokubo
arrested, may face treason charge
Simon Ibe, Senior Political Editor, Tony Ita Etim, Port
Harcourt
Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Voluteer Force (NDPVF),
Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo was yesterday arrested by the police in Port
Harcourt, Rivers State capital apparently to forestall possible fresh outbreak
of violence in the region.
Tension has peaked in the area since last Thursday when Bayelsa
state Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was picked up by the British
Police at London Heathrow Airport over alleged money laundering.
However a statement by Cynthia Whyte, the spokesperson for the
NDPVF and the Niger Delta People’s Salvation Front, both of which Asari Dokubo -
leads, said his arrest was effected about mid-day yesterday.
The statement, which said the militant leader was thereafter
flown to Abuja in the company of the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Samuel
Adefuyi also warned that if the groups fail to hear from their leader within 24
hours, "there is the possibility of the occurrence of the most unprecedented
level of a breach of the peace and grave mayhem in the Niger Delta."
The groups further threatened that "security forces, agents of
governments, oil companies and facilities so owned by these might likely be the
object and focus of this sabotage."
The statement, made available to Daily Champion also warned
that "all state agencies, oil companies and their agents should cease
functioning in the Niger Delta. Flowstations and related facilities must be shut
down. All oil company staff are advised to leave the Niger Delt at the
expiration of this deadline."
Sources, which yesterday told Daily Champion that Asari-Dokubo
maybe charged with treason wondered why the militant should be linked with the
Gov. Alamieyeseigha saga, since according to them, he has been known to be
publicly at loggerheads with the governor, especially since he was stopped from
coming to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital for the programme to honour late
Major Isaac Adaka Boro.
As though to lend their voice to this school of thought, the
NDPVF statement said, "over time, it has been made very clear that our leader
cannot be an ally of any orchestrator of corrupt practices, and will never in
any circumstances, support corruption (sic)".
They said further that "it is therefore foolhardy to think or
assume that our supreme leader will be party to any attempt to cause a breach of
the peace because of the arrest of any person considered to be a partaker in
corruption."
Also yesterday, the president of the Ijaw National Congress
(INC), Prof. Kimse Okoko denounced some groups which he said were making moves,
under the guise of Ijaw Elders to go to Aso Rock Villa, Abuja to ‘beg’ President
Olusegun Obasanjo over the injustice being meted out to governor DSP
Alamieyeseigha in London.
According to Okoko, such groups did not have the mandate of the
Ijaw people and were only going to re-enact the "Aso Rock Video Shows" of the
years past, stressing that "while we are committed to dialogue, we refuse to be
drawn into fruitless talks with Abuja, when we very well know Aso Rock to be the
source of the governor’s troubles."
He said further that "clearly, any such visit will be
misinterpreted as a capitulation, and an acceptance of perpetuated innuendoes
and falsehood against the Governor".
The government of Bayelsa state, yesterday, said that the
confirmation of the British High Commissioner, Mr. Richard Grozney, that the
Federal government had a hand in Alamieyesegha’s travails vindicated their stand
that "this is no more than an an orchestration of political strategies at
various levels of government and interests in the build-up to 2007".
They also insisted that the governor was covered by the
immunity clauses of section 308 of the 1999 constitution and the Diplomatic
Privileges Act of 1964 (UK) and the state Immunity Act of 1978 (UK), pointing
out that " outside the realms of crude politics, it is difficult to understand
why the Federal Government chose to violate the laws of the land by purporting
to withdraw the immunity of a serving governor and give the British the latitude
to embarrass the country, the office of the governor and the person of Chief
Alamieyeseigha."
The government’s statement, signed by Priye WarioWei, the
Acting Chief Press Secretary to the governor, also denied the reports that 1
million pound was found with the governor, insisting that though those making
the allegations have neither substantiated their claims nor made public their
sources of information, "the governor was not with such a huge sum of money when
he was picked at the airport. Indeed, there was no one at his London residence
when it was searched."
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Oodua Self Determination Groups has
condemned the arrest of Asari-Dokubo, his arrest the coalition noted is an
indication that the Obasanjo regime does not respect the right of Nigerians to
self-determination.
"Coming closely on the heels of the arrest of the governor of
Bayelsa State, in the United Kingdom and condemnation of same by Ijaw Youth
Congress, the arrest of Dokubo has further confirmed our earlier position that
the regime of General Obasanjo is a lackey of British imperalism.
"COSEG calls on self-determinationists in Nigeria to rise up in
one body to resist this renewed onslaught by OBJ and his cohorts, the body added
in a statement signed by its secretary, Mr. Dayo Ogunlana.
The Niger Delta People’s Volunteer
Force
Press Statement of the Arrest of The Supreme Leader of the Niger
Delta People’s Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr
Dokubo-Asari
Around
Mid-hours today, September 20, 2005, the Supreme Leader of the Niger Delta
People’s Volunteer Force and the Chairman of the Niger Delta People’s Salvation
Front, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, was arrested and flown to Abuja in the company of
the Rivers State Commissioner of Police.
The Niger
Delta People’s Volunteer Force & The Niger Delta People’s Salvation Front
rejects the nature in which this arrest was orchestrated as it is a clear
affront on the NDPVF & the NDPSF. The arrest was a clear breach of Due
Process, constitutional processes and put a HUGE question mark on the integrity
of the human rights credentials of the Nigerian State.
In line with
this development, the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, the Niger Delta
People’s Salvation Front and her alliance groups, herein categorically states
that if we do have an affirmation of the state, wellbeing and condition of our
leader, we will not be able to guarantee the security, safety and wellbeing of
lives and properties in the Niger Delta.
Over time,
it has been made very clear that our leader cannot be a party of any
orchestrator of corrupt practices, and will never in any circumstances, support
corruption. It is therefore foolhardy to think or assume that our Supreme Leader
will be party to any attempt to cause a breach of the peace because of the
arrest of any person considered to be a partaker in corruption.
The
Government of the Nigerian State must not that the youth and people of the Niger
Delta have been forsaken for so long and can be very prone to acts of violence
and facility sabotage when an issue such as a THREAT TO ARREST or an ARREST of
the flag bearer of the Niger Delta Struggle.
At the
moment, tempers are at an all-time high and the count down has begun.
If word is
heard about the safety and current wellbeing of the Supreme Leader of the Niger
Delta Volunteer Force (NDPVF) in the next 24 hours, there is the possibility of
the occurrence of the most unprecedented level of a breach of the peace and
grave mayhem in the Niger Delta. Security forces, agents of governments, oil
companies and facilities so owned by these might likely be the object and focus
of this sabotage.
It has
become necessary to state this as overtime the government of the Nigerian state
and her cohorts have continued to undermine the ability and capability of the
Niger Delta struggle.
In consequence therefore, we DECLARE that after the 24 hr
deadline, IF word has not been received from our leader, ALL STATE AGENCIES, OIL
COMPANIES AND THEIR AGENTS SHOULD CEASE FUNCTIONING IN THEIR NIGER DELTA.
FLOWSTATIONS AND RELATED FACILITIES MUST BE SHUTDOWN. ALL OIL COMPANY STAFF ARE
ADVISED TO LEAVE THE NIGER DELTA AT THE EXPIRATION OF THIS
DEADLINE.
A word has
always been enough for the wise. The Countdown has begun.
Cynthia
Whyte
Spokesperson
Niger Delta
People’s Volunteer Force & The Niger Delta People’s Salvation
Front
September
20, 2005
Alamieyeseigha: Asari Dokubo Arrested
Protest in P/Harcourt
By Mike Oduniyi,
Ndubuisi Ugah in Lagos, Chuks Okocha in Port Harcourt and John Awori in Yenegoa,
09.20.2005
Rivers State Police Command yesterday arrested one of the
leaders of the Ijaw youths movement and Chairman of the Niger Delta Peoples
Volunteers Force (NDVF), Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo over alleged threats to
blow up oil installations in the Niger Delta area.His arrest has been greeted
with protests in Port Hacourt yesterday by Ijaw militant youths. The youths had
earlier yesterday given the Federal Government 72-hours ultimatum to release
Dokubo failing which they would start attacking from today, foreign oil workers
found in the swamp and creeks of the Niger Delta.
Ijaw youths had threatened to inflict violence on British
nationals and oil installations belonging to British firms in retaliation for
last Thursday's arrest in London of Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha for money laundering The arrest of the self-acclaim leader of the
Ijaw nation came on the heel of a planned visit by a delegation of Ijaw leaders
to President Olusegun Obasanjo, to protest the arrest of Alamieyeseigha by the
British Police.
THISDAY checks revealed that Dokubo was first invited by
the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel Adetuyi for a chat. On
arrival however, he was arrested and detained at the Police Command for over 40
minutes before being flown to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
THISDAY gathered that the Rivers State Police Command told
Asari Dokubo that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered his arrest.
Sources linked the arrest to a statement credited to the President of the Ijaw
Youth Council (IYC), Mr. Jon Jon, threatening that the youths would blow up oil
installations if Alamieyeseigha was not released by the British Police. However,
NDVF members yesterday, took over the streets of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State
capital protesting the arrests of their leader.The protesters, who took over the
streets in D-one Port Harcourt, were seen burning tyres, while residents of the
D-line scampered for safety as shops and churches were huriedly closed down.
Also yesterday, a leader of the NDVF issued a 24-hour
ultimatum to the Federal Government to release Asari Dokubo or the group will
blow up oil installations within the Niger Delta region. The group claimed that
it had no business with the arrest of Alamieyeseigha in London. In a related
development, the spokesman of the group, Comrade Mark Oliseh said it was
unfortunate that the police could go out of its way to arrest Asari Dokubo, who
from the outset had kicked against Alamieyeseigha's manner of administration,
especially on the development of the Niger Delta area.
Oliseh, who spoke to THISDAY in a telephone chat, said Dokubo
was arrested yesterday after he was invited by the police for a chat, which he
honoured only for him to be arrested and taken to force headquarters, Abuja. He
said the arrest of Asari Dokubo was coming on the heels of a planned
mini-conference by the Pro-national Conference (PRONACO) scheduled for tomorrow
and which he was expected to preside over.
Asari Dokubo first came to national limelight last November,
when he and his NDVF threatened to blow up oil installations in the creeks.
Following security reports which revealed then that the threat was real on the
strength of arms and ammunition at the disposal of the group, the Federal
Government was forced to negotiate a peace deal with Asari Dokubo before the
NDVF called of the threat. However, the Pro-National Conference (PRONACO) has
demanded the immediate release of Asari-Dokubo, who the group said was one of
its stalwarts and coordinator in the Niger Delta area.
PRONACO said the arrest came just days after the last General
Assembly meeting of the group, which was hosted by Alhaji Asari-Dokubo in Port
Harcourt. “This is nothing but vindictive cowardice and it smack off
dictatorship on the part of Government. PRONACO hereby demands the immediate
release of its Stalwart–Alhaji Asari-Dokubo within 24 hours,” the group stated.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State's deputy governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has restated
that there was no formal charges levelled against Alamieyeseigha.
In a state-wide radio broadcast in the Bayelsa State Capital,
Yenagoa, Jonathan maintained that the allegations against his boss by the London
Metropolitan police lack substance and definition. He urged the people of the
state to remain calm. The deputy governor enjoined the people to go about their
normal business and eschew violence that could tarnish the image of the state.
Also, the state government has described Monday's clarification by the British
High Commissioner, Mr. Richard Grozney on the arrest of Governor Diepreye
Alameiyeseigha as a vindication of its stance that the goveronor might have been
a victim of "low-grade set-up by the highest political authorities of our
land."
The British High Commissioner had told newmen in Abuja on
Monday after a closed door meeting with President Olusegun Obasanjo that
Alameiyeseigha's arrest last Thursday in London over allegations of money
laundering was the fall-out of a request two years ago by Nigeria seeking the
assistance of the British Government in the war against money laundering. But in
a press statement last night by the acting Chief Press Secretary to the
governor, Mr. Preye Wariowei, the government said "for this to have happened to
a serving governor of a federating component of Nigeria reeks of the worst
example of executive lawlessness."
We want peaceful disintegration of
Nigeria -Asari Dokubo
He is not a stranger to
controversy. In fact, at a time, he was Nigeria’s most wanted man. But after the
militia leader met face to face with President Olusegun Obasanjo in Aso Rock,
critics said he became less confrontational. But Alhaji Muhajid Asari Dokubo,
leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, says he has not stepped- down the
tempo of the struggle for self- determination for the Ijaw people of oil-rich
Niger Delta. Asari told EFE EBELO that the only thing the government understands
is the language of confrontation. He said his group is ready for an all-out
confrontation that may lead to the disintegration of Nigeria
I saac Boro’s
name is always occurring in this struggle. Why?
For those of us who believe that
it is only through armed confrontation that we can achieve results, he is the
symbol of our struggle. Other political leaders like Harold Dappa Biriye,
Melford Okilo and so on also tried to show us the way. They chose to fight
through the ballot and this has not brought any tangible results to our people.
It was only Isaac Boro whose action led to the creation of Rivers State. We
believe that he, at that time, sacrificed a lot and put his life on the line and
finally paid the supreme price so that we can be better.
Why do Ijaws
of late seem to be renowned for agitation?
That might not be true. Ijaws
have been in the vanguard of serious grassroots agitations unlike other
nationalities. King Jaja of Opobo was an Ijaw. In 1941, the Ijaw Peoples Group
started and for the first time in Nigerian political dictionary, we started
hearing of phrases like self-determination. It started with the Ijaws. Then,
people like Dappa Biriye articulated the view that it was the inalienable right
of every nation to have self-determination. They went further. The agitation of
the Ijaws led to the setting up of the Wilkin’s Commission of Inquiry to look
into the plight of the minorities.In 1963, before the Biafran war,
Biriye declared the Niger Delta Peoples Republic. So, we have been in the
vanguard of the struggle. But after the creation of Rivers State, the struggle
alleviated for a while because Ijaw intelligentsia, an elite group, took power
in Rivers State, and mismanaged it. They did not use it for the development of
the Ijaw homeland. They squandered the opportunity. So, the people became more
agitated.
Was that what led to the formation of your
group?
Our group is
the reemergence of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force formed by Isaac Boro. For us,
we have seen the failure and bankruptcy of the political class.
Why armed struggle?
Armed
struggle is the only way out for men who have been in bondage, deprivation and
slavery. It is through armed struggle that they can throw off the yoke of their
oppressors. We have glorious antecedents everywhere in the world like Vietnam,
Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Palestine and others. None succeeded on the
negotiation table. People must put their lives on the line to overthrow the
illegal and cruel rule of their oppressors. And the Nigerian state has continued
to cruelly take our resources.
What about the lives that would be lost along the
line?
Whether you
engage in armed struggle or not, people are still going to die. People are being
killed everywhere on a daily basis
How is the struggle funded?
It is from
the people.
In the event of a confrontation, can you match the federal
might?
In places
where revolutions have succeeded, there have been governments in place like in
South Africa, Palestine and others. Why should I be afraid of the federal
government? They are human beings and so are we. They feel pains and can die
just like us. Why should I be afraid of them?
How do you coordinate the force?
The
membership cuts across every strata of life: The young, the old and others.
Although the old people cannot fight, they always inquire to see how things are
going and to find out the progress we have made.
After you went to Abuja to see Mr. President, the general opinion
was that you have sold out. Is it true?
When I
started this struggle, I did not consult anybody, I called people and they
believed in me and followed. The position we were before we went to Abuja is
only known to us. The position we are today is also known to us. Somebody that
has never been shot; somebody that does not have injuries cannot just stay in
his house and ask questions. What is his business with what we are doing? What
moral rights have they got to judge us?. Since I went to Abuja and came back,
the people that said I sold out, what have they done? Why can’t they start so
that people can follow them? I do not believe in joining issues with people who
are only there to criticise other people. We know what we are doing. Our force
has increased. People have come to understand us the more. They see our
pamphlets freely now and they read what we are doing now. We are involved in a
broad-based mass struggle that has nothing to do with anybody. If you do not
want to volunteer, it's your own choice. Nobody will force you. We went to Abuja
because at that time, it was expedient for us to do so.
What do you think about the activities of oil companies in the
Niger-Delta?
Their
activities are very harmful to our environment and our people. They are
impoverishing us, throwing our lives away, destroying our environment. The best
thing is for all of them to leave our land and we will renegotiate with
them.
The oil
holding families and communities should have the right to renegotiates with the
various oil firms. It is not the right of the government whether state or local
government to take control of the people’s oil. A mistake has already been made.
Someone who does not own something has given out that which he does not own. For
us to renegotiates, you must first of all leave so that the real owners of the
resources can take control. We have started a process of resource takeover and
demanding for reparation for what has already been taken.
What happens if the companies fail to leave?
If they refuse to leave, we will shut down their
operations.
Why resource takeover and not resource
control?
I do not
believe in resource control. I don’t know what it is all about. There is a lot
of confusion about it. What we are saying is that we want resource takeover. We
are going to takeover our resources from whoever is controlling it. The man in
Abuja in collaboration with the multinational oil companies is controlling our
resources illegally and inhumanly. We are going to take it over, ask for
reparation for what has already been stolen, then the issue of resource control
comes in. You must first of all repossess that which you have been dispossessed
of, then, we can talk about resource control. The bandits in Abuja and their
foreign collaborators have taken our resources.
Going by the enormity of the responsibilities involved in the
struggle, do you have any political ambition?
My political
ambition is to see to the winding up of the Nigerian state.
What does that mean?
I am calling
for and working towards the liquidation of the Nigerian state. I am going to the
people’s conference organised by PRONACO to canvass and to present demands for
the Czechoslovakian type of disintegration. We want peaceful disintegration of
the Nigerian state. There are many nationalities in Nigeria. I am an Izon man
hoping for a sovereign Ijaw nationality, so also the Yoruba man can demand for
an independent Yoruba nation. But if a group of nations like the Urhobos,
Itsekiris, decide that they want to come together to form a federation of
nations, then they have to agree among themselves. If after we have gone, they
say let us subject the condition canvassed by the Ijaws to a plebiscite in Ijaw
land and generality of Ijaws say they want to remain with Nigeria under any new
arrangement, then so be it.
My own
belief is that Nigeria is an evil entity. It has nothing to stand on and I will
continue to fight and try to see that Nigeria dissolves and disintegrates. That
is my life ambition and that is why I have dedicated my life to the struggle
till the day I die to see to the disintegration of Nigeria.
You sound like a rebel, are you one?
I do not
know what you mean by a rebel. I cannot be a rebel when there is an occupation
force on my land called the Nigerian state. I cannot be a rebel. I am an Ijaw
man, a nationalist.
The other time you were to hold a rally, and you were denied
permission, what do you think was the reason?
They were
afraid. Many of our governors in the Niger-Delta are always afraid. They would
rather do public relations for the federal government. They thought that if we
carried on with the march, it would ruin their chances of getting 25 percent
derivation at the confab. Now they are in trouble because they did not get the
25 percent. They now want to organise a march, but the people would not
agree.
Are you saying you are dissatisfied with the outcome of the
confab?
I do not
believe there was a confab. Obasanjo gathered his people there to go and do what
he has programmed them to do.
Obasanjo’s third term bid was one of the issues that were thrown
up at the confab. What do you think about it?
We are very
happy about it. He can go for as many terms as he desires. It is not our
business. It will only help our programme of fighting for the disintegration of
Nigeria.
Is there no way of achieving peace without
fighting?
The
Czechoslovakian experience is very clear. They just decided to go their separate
ways. Why should you hold me? What is the connection or relationship between an
Ijaw man and a Hausa man? Why should we be together without the consent of the
people. If people choose that we are going to be together, they can remain so.
After all, some states decided they wanted to be part of the United States like
Hawaii, Alaska and today it is so. That is their decision.
Do you have a wife?
I have two and eight children
Due to the risky nature of the struggle, don’t you fear for your
life?
Everyday,
something can happen, life is in the hands of God. I am a Muslim and I believe
that everything is destined by God. That I am alive today is not because of my
power but because God has destined it. Whatever happens to me, God who has made
me what I am will take care of my family.
What is the significance of your trade mark
headgear?
It is the
symbol of the struggle. My great ancestors used it to go to war. They call it
Ogborigbo
How did you find yourself in this struggle?
It is
destiny. My father does not like trouble. If he sees trouble, he runs. Nobody
would believe that I would become somebody like this, so that is
it.
Does this struggle not negate the disarmament agreement of which
your group is a party?
Disarmament
is a process in a process. We have not been in any activity since we decided.
But that does not mean that we will not continue to articulate beliefs that it
is only through armed struggle that freedom can be placed in our peoples hands.
As long as the Nigeria state does not want to resolve this issue, we will have
no other alternative than to pick up arms again. It might not be me, it might be
someone else, but this struggle will not end as long as the Nigerian state
continues to deprive our people of their right to life and self determination.
Asari Dokubo arrested
By John Ighodaro, Hector Igbikiowubo & Omoh Gabriel
Posted to the Web: Wednesday, September 21, 2005
*Alamieyeseigha's deputy broadcasts against inflamatory talks
*EFCC moves against politicians on money laundering
PORT-HARCOURT — LEADER of the Niger Delta People Volunteer Force (NDPVF),
Alhaji Dokubo Asari, was yesterday arrested by the Police in Port Harcourt as a
fallout of last Thursday’s arrest, in London, of Governor Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State for money laundering.
Asari was picked up on account of a threat by the National President of the
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr Jonjon Oyinfie, that the Ijaw would attack British
interests in Nigeria if Governor Alamieyeseigha was not released
immediately.
Deputy Governor, Dr Jonathan Goodluck, in a broadcast to Bayelsans yesterday
asked them to avoid inflammatory statements that could jeopardise government’s
moves to get the governor out of trouble.
However, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday
that political office holders, their families, friends and surrogates would
henceforth be put under surveillance to check money laundering.
Asari was invited to the State Police Command Headquarters by the Police
Commissioner, Mr. Samuel Adetuyi, who then handed him over to the State Security
Service (SSS). The SSS swiftly drove him to Port Harcourt Airport en route
Abuja.
Vanguard gathered that he was arrested because of the threat made by the
National President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr. Jonjon Oyinfie, that Ijaw
would blow up oil installations in the Niger Delta and kidnap British citizens
in Nigerian if the Bayelsan State governor under arrest in London was not
returned to Nigeria.
Hours before Dokubo Asari was arrested, he had told a source that "I don’t
support criminality." He was also reported to have said the arrest of
Alamieyeseigha in London was in order and that he was not against the arrest. He
was to issue a statement today in support of the London arrest.
The President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), London branch, Mr. Kobina
Johnson, who is on a visit to Nigeria, also told Vanguard that he was in support
of the London Metropolitan Police arrest of Governor Alamieyeseigha, saying it’s
the right thing to do. He said: "I don’t think any Ijaw man would support
Alamieyeseigha or be against what the London Metropolitan Police have done in
arresting him. I would like the London police to keep him and not allow him to
come back to Nigeria."
The immediate past national deputy president of the IYC, Mr Famous
Daunemighan, in a joint statement with Sgt. Werinipre Digifa and Mr. Engema
Jumbo of Bayelsa Youth for Good Governance said: "If our Governor-General and
Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief D. S. P Alamieyeseigha, is found to have fallen
short in his responsibility or found culpable before the Nigerian or British law
in connection with financial misappropriation, the Ijaw youths opinion is let
justice prevail.
"There is, therefore, no gain saying that in the face of global efforts at
fighting corruption and mismanagement of public funds, with particular interest
in Africa countries whose leaders have an insatiable drive for embezzling public
funds, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces, while leading the campaign at the home front is also at the forefront of
the international campaign to rid our continent of corrupt officials and
leaders."
Mr. Famous Daunemighan said: "The Ijaw nation has particularly been a victim
of corrupt leadership. Despite our long struggle for self actualisation and
resource control and the resultant benefits of the 13 per cent derivation and
the subsequent abolition of the onshore-offshore dichotomy and the on-going
effort aimed at increasing our derivation, all of which have attracted enormous
revenue to Ijaw land, the Ijaw nation as represented by the visible territory
and landscape collective, in particularly, in Bayelsa State has known no
meaningful infrastructure development.
"We have hundreds of billions of Naira allocated to us much of which has only
enriched private pockets." He also said the Ijaw were not in support of the
position of the Ijaw National Conference President, Prof. Kimse Okoko, saying:
"He never consulted the Ijaw people and, therefore, could not have spoken the
minds of the Ijaw people.
His words: "We cannot, therefore, fold our hands and watch a leader lure some
misinformed youths into lawlessness. We express our unequivocal support for
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces at
ridding our nation of corrupt leaders."
Mr. Engema Jumbo of Bayelsa Youths for Good Governance said: "It is
heartbreaking to hear at this stage of our Ijaw youths struggle— a struggle
hinged on the principles of fairness and equity, a struggle which derives from
the long neglect and marginalisation of the Ijaw people, a struggle for the
control of out God-given resources for the advancement and betterment of Ijaw
land— that a youth leader as highly placed as Mr. Jonjon would express and
publish a statement that is in clear contravention of the Ijaw man’s ethic.
"We wish to categorically state here that these views of Mr. Jonjon are not
acceptable. In fact, they are misplaced opinions and decisions, as they do not
represent the views of the Ijaw youths. We wish to further emphasize that no
umbrella of Ijaw youths at any time met to discuss, deliberate or take decision
on the issue bothering on the arrest of His Excellency, Chief D. S. P
Alamieyeseigha, Governor of Bayelsa State."
On the arrest of Dokubo Asari, Mr. Daunemighan of Ijaw Youth Federation (IYF)
said: "The arrest of Alhaji Dokubo Asari is provocative. Why arrest him when he
is yet to make a public statement on the arrest of Alamieyesiegha in London? I
want you to know that Alhaji Dokubo Asari is not in support of what
Alamieyesiegha has done. I would say, he should be released immediately because
we are not in support of criminality," he said.
Ijaw threaten foreign nationals
Comrade Joseph Evah, Coordinator of the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG) said
Alhaji Asari was invited to the Rivers State Police Commissioners’ office by the
Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS) and when he got there, the
commissioner told him that Abuja (by implication the Presidency) said he should
be brought to Abuja at all cost, that he was under arrest.
He said Alhaji Asari had since been moved from Port Harcourt to an
undisclosed location. "And for that reason we want foreign oil workers whose
governments we believe instigated the latest onslaught against the Ijaw to know
that we can deal with them as far as Ijaw nation is concerned," Comrade Evah
said.
"We want the Federal Government to release Alhaji Asari within the next 48
hours. We understand that he was not allowed to take his bath or carry his
phone. We view this as a declaration of war by the Federal Government against
the Ijaw people," he said.
Dep gov cautions Bayelsans
Bayelsa State deputy governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday asked the
people of the state and the entire Ijaw nation to avoid inflammatory acts and
statements that could jeopardise the moves to get Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
off the hook.
Dr. Jonathan in a radio broadcast told Bayelsans that he had been in constant
touch with the governor since his arrest. The deputy governor who summoned all
commissioners and special advisers to an emergency meeting ostensibly to
reiterate his unflinching loyalty for his troubled boss told the people of
Bayelsa State that the event of the last five days had demonstrated the love,
loyalty and devotion of the true sons and daughters to the leadership of the
state as well as the goodwill from well wishes across the country and
beyond.
In an emotional voice, Dr. Jonathan said: "These events are a clear test of
our collective will and capacity to exercise maturity and cohesion. Even so, it
has been brought to the notice of government that there have been threats of
violence arising from sentiments of disenchantment over the incident."
To this end, he enjoined the people in all parts of the state and beyond to
avoid inflammatory acts and statements that might undermine the will of
government to pursue diplomatic avenues to resolve the matter at stake.
Lawyers mount pressure on London Police
Governor Alamieyeseigha’s lawyers were said to be mounting pressure on the
London Metropolitan Police to allow him travel to Nigeria following his release
on bail. He is currently recuperating from a surgery he had in Germany.
EFCC moves against politicians
Top political office holders, their families, friends and surrogates will
henceforth come under surveillance in the expanded money laundering battle.
Making the disclosure yesterday at the launch of Global Anti-Money Laundering
Survey 2004 by KPMG, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, who was represented by Secretary of the Commission, Mr
Emmanuel Akomaye, said politically exposed persons had now been brought into the
scheme of money laundering by the Financial Action Task Force for which banks
are to keep close tab on.
According to him, politically exposed persons are individuals who are or have
been entrusted with prominent public functions such as heads of state, senior
politicians, senior members of government, judicial, or military officials,
senior executives of state-owned corporation, important political party
officials. It is on the basis of the expanded money laundering definition that
Nigerian politicians are under international financial surveillance by local and
correspondent banks.
He said "business relationship with family members or close associates of
such politically exposed persons involved reputational risk. Banks are,
therefore, required to monitor these customers on the basis of
know-your-customer and must go beyond simple account opening and record-keeping
and formulate a customer acceptance policy and a tiered customer identification
programme that involves more extensive due diligence for higher risk accounts,
and include proactive account monitoring for suspicious
activities."
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Explosions, gunshots, war in Bayelsa,
Rivers
By John Ighodaro & Sam Oyadongha
Posted to the Web: Thursday, September 22, 2005
*Dokubo's supporters on the rampage
*FG deploys troops in Port Harcourt
YENAGOA— EXPLOSIONS, Tuesday night, rocked Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State
whose governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, was arrested last week in London
for alleged money laundering.
About 11 hours later, supporters of Asari-Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta
People Volunteer Force NDPVF) went on the rampage in Port Harcourt, capital of
the neighbouring Rivers State, demanding (Dokubo's) immediate release.
But the Federal Government vowed yesterday that it would not succumb to any
threat or intimidation. Indeed, government deployed troops to Port Harcourt to
clear the street of security risks, while Warri and Yenagoa were placed on
security alert.
Counsel to Governor Alamieyeseigha in a statement said his "unlawful arrest"
was a dangerous precedent in Nigeria, and appealed to the people of Bayelsa
State not to take the laws into their hands.
The Yenagoa explosions—four of them— came one after the other at about 11p.m.
Tuesday on Aretahin Street. An uncompleted building was badly damaged. It was
not immediately clear what could have caused the explosions.
Fun seeking residents of Amarata, Onopa, Swali and Ovom took to their heels
thinking it was a mortal attack on the capital city. The fear stemmed from the
ultimatum given by supporters of the NDPVF leader calling for his release and
the statement of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) threatening British nationals and
investments in the Niger Delta if Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was not
released immediately. back home. When contacted, the state Police Public
Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Oborududu (DSP), who confirmed the incident said
the police had stepped up investigation in the matter. He said a police patrol
team rushed to the scene on hearing the deafening blasts but that no arrest was
made. He, however, dismissed insinuations linking the explosions to the arrest
of Asari-Dokubo. Armed Mobile Police were sighted at strategic locations in the
state capital with more concentration around the Yenagoa waterfront.
A cloud of apprehension was to hang over Port Harcourt 10 hours later after
followers of the Niger Delta People Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji
Asari-Dokubo, went on the rampage, demanding his release. He was arrested
Tuesday by the Police and taken to Abuja.
As early as 10a.m, hundreds of the NDPVF's members, most of them in white
dresses took over areas of D_Line in Port Harcourt. Brandishing knives, bottles
and machetes. They mounted a roadblock on Tombia Street and proceeded to burning
tyres on the road, while demanding the release of their leader, Asari-Dokubo.
A top lieutenant of Asari-Dokubo, Mr. Erekosima, who spoke in Port Harcourt
threatened, saying: "I am the second in command to Asari and I am saying that
the world will hear it that we've gone round and have given a time frame that
Alhaji Asari-Dokubo should be released and the time frame expired at
2.00p.m.today (yesterday).
"Meanwhile, we are saying that if the Nigerian State does not release Alhaji
Asari at 2.00pm today (yesterday) whatever they see they should not blame
anybody."
The Assistant Inspector_General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters in Calabar,
Mr. Yusuf Haruna, has, however, been drafted to coordinate the activities of the
security forces that are on ground to maintain law and order.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, the AIG Zone 6 Headquarters Calabar and
the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Samuel Adetuyi, Mr. Haruna said: "I am
here to co_ordinate the activities of the law enforcement agencies and to
reassure the people of the state that there is no curse for alarm and we are
going to do all within the limits of the law to ensure that law and order is
maintained in Rivers State.
"I wish to tell you that nobody is above the law. And it is the
responsibility of every good government to see that lives and property of its
citizen are well protected. And for that I am here to reassure you that the
police have taken every step to make sure that no person is going to be
molested. No person will be disturbed if the course of its lawful duties. Every
person within the state is advised to pursue his legal business freely without
any molestation.
"Any person who tries to disturb the peace of the state, we are definitely
going to disturb his own peace too because it is a routine for any citizen when
the government feels he has something to answer to be called and have a chat
with and nothing has happened to this man and he is in safe custody and I can
assure you nothing will happen to him. That's why I advise every citizen in the
state to go about his lawful business without molestation. The police are on
ground to make sure that you are all protected."
Rivers govt reacts
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr.
Magnus Abe, said: "The attention of the Rivers State government has been drawn
to the state of unease in certain parts of the city of Port Harcourt.
Information available to Government is that this is connected to the invitation
of Alhaji Asari-Dokubo by the Inspector General of Police in Abuja.
"We have confirmed that Alhaji Asari-Dokubo is in safe custody of the
Inspector-General of Police in Abuja. We, therefore, urge all members of the
public to remain calm and law-abiding. The Rivers State Government is committed
to the protection of the rights and liberties of all Rivers men and women, and
indeed all people resident in Rivers State.
"In the interim, government would like to warn all those who are trying to
capitalise on the present situation to harass innocent persons and cause a
breach of the peace, to desist forthwith or face the full wrath of the law.
Law-abiding citizens are advised to go about their business without fear."
Meanwhile, former Security Adviser to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Sara
Igbe, in a radio broadcast, while condemning the arrest of Asari-Dokubo,
appealed to members of NDPVF not to resort to violence as efforts were on to
resolve the impasse.
His words: "In as much as we condemn the arrest, intimidation and
embarrassment of our leader in South-South geopolitical zone, we must approach
the situation with wisdom and caution so as to effect the release of our leader.
I appeal to all youth organisations in the state and the Niger Delta to exercise
restraint by stopping any from of violence."
Ijaw insist on closing oil wells
Ijaw youths said they would make good their threat and shut down oil wells by
mid-night if Dokubo was not released at the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum
handed down Tuesday.
In another reaction, the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) yesterday condemned the
arrest as barbaric and called for the immediate release of the NDPVF leader.
Reacting to street protests in Port Harcourt yesterday over the arrest of
Alhaji Asari-Dokubo, leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF)
in Port Harcourt, Comrade Joseph Evah, said the tension generated was a welcome
development. "There is already tension in Port Harcourt because the deadline we
handed the Federal Government is fast running out. So, foreign nationals should
not hold the Ijaw responsible for what is about to befall them," he said.
Comrade Evah described the excuse that the government was holding Alhaji
Asari-Dokubo on a holden charge as frivolous and ambiguous, noting that this is
a democratic dispensation and not a military government.
FG deploys troops
The Federal Government yesterday ordered the deployment of troops in Port
Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State even as security alert has been placed on
the Bayelsa State capital, Yenagoa, and Warri in Delta State.
The troops deployment followed shootouts and threats to lives and security by
rampaging youths of the Niger Delta People Volunteer Force (NDPVF) of
Asari-Dokubo and other Ijaw militant groups in Port Harcourt between the early
hours of Tuesday and yesterday.
Chief of Defence Staff, General Alexander Ogomudia, in a telephone chat, said
the troops were currently patrolling the city of Port Harcourt to contain any
attempt by the militant youths to take laws into their hands.
The action of the youths who were said to be in their hundreds, driving in
open roof vehicles, dressed in combat gear and shooting sporadically into the
air, followed what they called refusal of the Federal Government to heed their
warning to release the Niger Delta warlord, Asari-Dokubo who was arrested by the
Police and brought to Abuja on Tuesday.
According to General Ogomudia, the armed youths planned to move to Yenagoa in
Bayelsa State to cause mayhem and violence but were prevented from doing so by
troops of the 35 Amphibious Brigade of the Nigerian Army based in the Port
Harcourt.
...dismisses threats
Also yesterday Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr. Frank
Nweke, emerging from Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, in Abuja said
government would not succumb to any intimidation by the Ijaw youths that are
threatening mayhem unless Asari Dockubo was released. Nweke said that the
militant Ijaw Youth leader was being interrogated over his seditious comments,
insisting that interrogation and investigation against his activities would
continue unabated. "Only this morning I confirmed that Asari Dokubo was
arrested, but the truth is that these matters are under investigation at the
moment, especially that of Asari Dokubo and I have not received any security
briefing on this.
"But I want to say that government remains committed to protecting the lives
and property of Nigerians and to preserve the integrity of our country. And you
would agree with me that there is no responsible government that would sit back
and condone these kinds of inflammatory and seditious statements that have been
credited to Dokubo."
DSP's counsel speaks
And in a statement yesterday through his counsel, Mr. Charles Oditah (SAN),
Governor Alamieyeseigha appealed for calm by Bayelsans.
The statement: "At about 2.30p.m. on 15 September 2005, the governor was
unlawfully arrested by officers of the Special Unit of the Metropolitan Police
aboard a British Airways aircraft which had just arrived from Germany where the
governor had gone for medical treatment. The governor was interviewed by
officers of the Metropolitan Police and released without charge. He is confident
of returning home and resuming normal duties as soon as he finishes
recuperating. In the meantime, he continues to be kept fully abreast of
developments in the state.
"The governor notes that his unlawful arrest by the Metropolitan Police was
apparently perpetrated with the full knowledge, co-operation and co-ordination
of the Federal Government and the EFCC.. "It is apparent that the Metropolitan
Police were informed of the governor's movements by the Federal Government,
hence his unlawful arrest aboard the aircraft. The incident of 15 September 2005
is an affront to the sovereignty and integrity of the Nigerian nation of which
Bayelsa State forms an integral part. It does not augur well for our nascent
democracy. Indeed, it is a deliberate attempt to weaken the institutions upon
which our democracy is based.
"Like the Federal Government, Bayelsa State has three arms of government— the
executive, legislature and judiciary. Accordingly, as the Head of Bayelsa State,
the governor has immunity from criminal jurisdiction under all applicable laws
including the laws of Nigeria, England and international law, contrary to the
misleading information being circulated within Nigeria. Under all applicable
laws, it is only the governor that can waive this immunity. He has not done so."
"The British Police claim that the governor is being investigated for money
laundering offences. The governor has not been charged with any offence and
indeed is innocent of any wrongdoing. He will demonstrate his innocence should
it ever become necessary for him do so. Under the English law, a crime must be
committed before anyone can be guilty of money laundering.
"On any view, if any crime has been committed by the governor and this is
totally denied by the governor, the crime must have been committed in Nigeria.
No one has ever alleged any wrongdoing against the governor in Nigeria, still
less has any allegation of criminal wrongdoing been made against the governor.
The British Police say they have been investigating the governor since March
2005. Yet despite six months of investigation— a period which is ample to
discover a crime if indeed one exists — no allegation of any criminal conduct
has been made in the United Kingdom or elsewhere against the governor. It should
be emphasised for the avoidance of doubt that there is no law in the United
Kingdom preventing anybody from bringing in or taking out cash, as long as the
source and use of the cash is legitimate. Indeed, there is even no requirement
in the United Kingdom to declare any cash brought in or taken out of that
country.
"Given that no criminal allegation has or can be made against him, the
governor is surprised that the British government thought it appropriate even to
contemplate the investigation or to effect his unlawful arrest. The British
government has acted unlawfully and improperly and in a neo-colonialistic and
bigoted manner. The Metropolitan Police has allowed itself to be used as a tool
in furtherance of the Federal Government's overtly political objectives.
IDAMA, Nigeria (AFP) - Nigerian soldiers posted to protect an oil plant owned
by the US giant Chevron invaded a nearby village and severely beat some local
people during a hunt for stolen weapons, witnesses said.
Three men -- Ababia Youngana, 33, Thompson Walson, 25 and Preye
Kigigha, 28 -- showed reporters fresh scars they said they had received on
Saturday when soldiers beat them with rifle butts and whipped them with
electrical flex.
Youngana's eye was swollen shut. "I can open it now, but I can't see. It's
blinded," he said.
A village elder said that three more people had been so badly hurt that they
had been sent by boat to nearby towns for hospital treatment.
Many have fled the area, and a pregnant woman and two children have been
missing since the raid, he added. The elder asked not to be named for fear he
might lose government contracts as a punishment for speaking out.
Brigadier General Elias Zamani, the commander of a military task force sent
to the Niger Delta to protect the oil industry, said his men were hunting for
six rifles stolen on Thursday during a militia raid on Chevron's Idama
plant.
"Some youths, about 90 of them in about eight speed boats, tried to shut down
the flowstation. They failed but because of their overwhelming strength they
were able to take back the rifles," he said.
Zamani said he was unaware of any violence during in the subsequent search,
but said that local people had been warned to return the guns.
"We asked them to get the rifles back themselves, otherwise we will have to
get them by our military methods. I am confident that they will be returned," he
said. Villagers said the troops had threatened to burn Idiama to the ground.
The village elder told AFP that the militants, who are believed to be members
of the illegal Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), were not from Idama
but that the message about the rifles had been passed on.
Last week NDPVF separatists threatened to attack oil facilities unless their
leader Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari was released from police custody.
Idama flowstation lies a short distance from the village on the Sambreiro
River, 25 kilometres (15 miles) southwest of the city of Port Harcourt.
On Sunday it was protected by a large force of Nigerian soldiers and sailors
armed with rifles and machine guns. They had set up sandbagged firing positions
on Chevron's floating accommodation and office block.
Villagers complained that a boat used by the company's own security officers
had been used by the squad of soldiers who invaded the village and carried out
the beatings. Chevron officials at the site refused to comment.
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Culled
from Daily Independent : Updated: Friday, November 5th,
2004 |
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Dokubo gives FG conditions for final ceasefire
• Seeks constitutional
amendment on Niger Delta
By Psaro Yornamu Senior
Correspondent, P/H
Leader of the Niger Delta People Volunteer Force
(NDPVF) Mujahid Dokubo-Asari says the struggle on which he signed a cease fire
agreement with the Federal Government is unstoppable until Abuja abrogates parts
of the Constitution and 14 other “obnoxious laws” designed to “perpetually
enslave the people” in the region.
He said with
the amendment, ownership of lands and waterways in the Niger Delta would return
to the people.
Dokubo spoke
at a dinner party he organised for newsmen at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Port
Harcourt on Wednesday night, where he insisted that the 10-point demand by the
NDPVF was handed to the government before an agreement was reached to ceasefire,
and hoped that the authorities would implement all the demands.
The
“obnoxious laws”, according to him, are the Land Use Act cap 202, Revenue
Allocation Act Cap 16, Exclusive Economic Zones Act Cap 116, Oil in Navigable
Waters Act Cap 337, Oil Terminal Dues Act cap 339, Petroleum Control Act cap 351
and Petroleum Production and Distribution (Anti sabotage Act Cap 353).
Others
include the Petroleum Profit Tax Act Cap 354, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation
and Fiscal Commission Act Cap 392, Territorial Waters Act Cap 428, Oil Pipeline
Act Cap 338, Associated Gas Re-injection Act Cap 26 and the National Inland
Water ways Authority Act.
Dokubo urged
the government to ensure that all the communities destroyed in the Niger Delta
crisis are rebuilt and members of cult groups reintegrated into the mainstream
of society.
He, however,
warned the multinational oil companies operating in the region not to
discriminate in their employment policies while the Nigerian state should
constitutionally guarantee the survival and sustenance of the languages of all
ethnic nationalities.
He demanded a
Sovereign National Conference (SNC), saying it is only at such a gathering that
fundamental issues could be discussed, and urged oil firms to end practices that
degrade the Niger Delta environment as well as destroy traditional means of
livelihood.
Besides, “the
government should immediately withdraw all military formations in all parts of
the Niger Delta”, he stressed.
On the
development of the region, Dokubo berated four agencies set up for the purpose,
as they were “imposed on the people of the region who yearn for the control of
their resources and destiny”.
He listed
them to include the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) in 1962, Niger Delta
Basin Development Authority (NDBDA) 1976, Oil Mineral Producing Areas
Development Commission (OMPADEC) 1992 and the Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC) 1999.
“These
agencies have consistently failed to achieve the desired development of Niger
Delta as they were not only starved of funds, they were actually designed to
fail”.
Story
from Disney Land: Alamieyeseigha, Obasanjo & Bayelsa
State
Dear all,
Generalissimo Olusegun Obasanjo, regla
maxima of the Nigerian state and commander-in-chief of corrupt forces..HABA !!
So you have totally unmasked yourself, giving each senator one million US
dollars (US $1m), each house of representatives member seventy million naira
(N70m) and Each member of the house of assembly of the thirty six states (36)
fifty million naira (N50m) !!
Metropolitan Police, the FBI, Homeland
security and Interpol, you have a lot of job to do here and now.
Our
great emperor of corruption land have finally decided to dance naked in the
market square. Where are those parrots in the Naijapolitics forum? The
anticorruption analysts, the religious leaders etc who were praising and
parroting the anticorruption credentials of the criminal rogue and regla maxima
of the Nigerian state, General Obasanjo??
The Alamieyeseigha saga should
not be should not be used as a distraction to bury these stories from Disney
land. The press drummed up the impeccable credentials of the Ciromas, the Audu
Ogbehs, the Solomon Lars etc. These elders are now speaking out and are speaking
the truth. We all know that General Obasanjo does not have any morals. The
stories abound of how he sleeps with tea servants, cleaners, stewards and other
Aso Rock domestic hands. The whispers are everywhere of how married women who
work with him as ministers and assistants have suddenly become his bed warmers.
This is the man that the people who are on his payroll try to present as a
saint. A man who benefited from the heroic legacy bequeathed by MKO Abiola but
now seeks to destroy the name and memory of MKO Abiola. General Obasanjo does
not deserve the respect of any body. He is a man without honour and morals. The
coward that he is. When our patriotic and esteemed leader was in the creeks, he
begged him for peace. When he accepted the peace and laid down his arms, he
refused to pay for the arms as agreed and arrested and incarcerated him on
non-existent charges of treasonable felony.
We are indeed in Disney land.
When will we come out of our hallucination?
Coming back to Bayelsa state,
what are Bayelsa legislators doing in Abuja lodged in a hotel paid for by the
government of General Obasanjo and threatened with death and imprisonment if
they refuse to append their signatures to the documents to impeach
Alamieyeseigha. This is anticorruption indeed.
Legislators forced to
impeach their Governor!! Rented crowds from Port Harcourt, heavily protected by
the police and the military. One of the legislators from Abuja has realized
himself and run back to Bayelsa. He was re-arrested by the police stationed in
Bayelsa state. We must open our eyes. What is there between Alamieyeseigha and
Obasanjo? Why is Obasanjo so desperate to remove Alamieyeseigha as Governor of
Bayelsa State? These are questions we must find answers to.
It is not an
issue of comparing Alamieyeseigha to Asari. They are clearly not on the same
pedestal.
Alamieyeseigha is a thief. Dokubo-Asari is an Ijaw Nationalist
and purist, but even amongst thieves, there must be justice and honour. Is
Alamieyeseigha a worse thief than those who are hunting him? What makes
Alamieyeseigha’s corruption different from that of the criminal rogues;
Obasanjo, Odili, Abdullahi Adamu or Gbenga Daniel? What makes Alamieyeseigha’s
billions in Europe and North America different from the billions General
Obasanjo is spending to spending and dishing out to corrupt legislators across
the Nigerian state so that the dubious constitution of the Nigerian state would
be further bastardized to give Obasanjo a life presidency? We are witnesses in
this true life Disney land fairy tale…but we would rather prefer to commit
perjury.
The removal of Alamieyeseigha from his position as Governor is
one victory and one step closer to the realization of an Obasanjo life
presidency. DSP might be evil, but General Obasanjo is the devil himself.
We are now being forced to choose between the devil and his fallen
angels. I would prefer to choose the fallen angels. I might not be speaking the
mind of our patriotic and esteemed leader, Alhaji Dokubo-Asari, but I know that
his views and thoughts on the current happenings in the country would not be
greatly differing. In this battle between midnight and late afternoon, I prefer
to be in the dimming lights of the late afternoon than to be in the total
darkness of midnight. We would be vindicated. God is our witness.
Cynthia
Whyte Spokesperson, Niger Delta People’s Salvation Front
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Obasanjo May End in Utter Disaster and
Shame
Explosions, gunshots, war in Bayelsa,
Rivers
Dokubo charged with
treason
NDPVF Press Statement on Charges
Dokubo arraigned, remanded in custody
Asari-Dokubo arrested, may face treason
charge
Press
Statement of the Arrest of The Leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer
Force
Dokubo Asari
arrested
We want
peaceful disintegration of Nigeria -Asari Dokubo
Dokubo gives FG conditions for final
ceasefire
Alamieyeseigha:
Asari Dokubo Arrested
Story from Disney Land:
Alamieyeseigha, Obasanjo & Bayelsa State
Nigerian villagers 'beaten by oil rig troops'
Africa to advocate for own oil exploration company at global
congress AFP - Sun Sep 25, 8:39
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