The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has pulled out of the on-going negotiations with the Federal Government. MEND was part of the body – Pan Niger Delta Front (PANDEF) that was delegated to enter into talks with the Federal Government. Jomo Gbomo, the militant group’s spokesman, also accused Chief Edwin Clark, PANDEF’s leader, and Alfred Diete-Spiff of insincerity.
MEND, in a statement obtained from Premium Times, also said:
“Our decision to abandon PANDEF stems from the commercial and political motives of the leaders and most of the members who now see the platform as a means to bounce back financially and politically.
“It is also as a result of the lie told by Chief Clark to State House correspondents after the PANDEF volte-face meeting with the Acting President on Thursday, August 3, 2017, where he said that MEND was part of the parley when the group wasn’t represented.
“It is annoying working with pretenders who conspired to keep silent when (former President) Goodluck Jonathan wasted the opportunity of the region and were part of the conspiracy to suppress the voice of Henry Okah and MEND.
“Today, the East West road they have suddenly realised that is in need of urgent repairs is a shameful death-trap which passes alongside oil wells and sits on top of huge gas reserves.
“PANDEF is demanding for the road to be completed but during the 6 wasted years, these same members used the dilapidated road, lost loved ones there but said nothing, engaging instead on worthless pleasures, with the Abuja residence of Chief Clark as the rallying point.
“Chief Clark who had direct access to his “son” Goodluck Jonathan did not advise the former President to address the root issues and develop the region. Many sons and daughters who enriched themselves, including the current PANDEF leaders have no single viable industry built in the Niger Delta to show for it.
“The assets they have acquired are now forfeited to the region or the EFCC. Those ill-gotten assets cleverly hidden from the EFCC that we discover will be attacked and burnt to the ground.”
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, in a bid to stop the incessant bombing of crude oil pipelines in the Niger-Delta, initiated peace talks with stakeholders in oil producing states.