Danger as MEND pulls out of alliance with Niger Delta elders

The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) has pulled out its members from PANDEF.

In a statement issued by MEND spokesperson on Wednesday, Jomo Gbomo, the group accused PANDEF of in­sincerity.

Gbomo stressed that the fo­rum which was silent under the “wasted” administration of for­mer President Goodluck Jona­than has “miraculously” regained their voice under the current ad­ministration.

The former militants also ac­cused PANDEF of using some militant groups to threaten the Federal Government.

The statement read in part: “The Movement for the Eman­cipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) dissociates itself from the hypocritical press conference called on Monday, July 31, 2017 in Abuja by PANDEF.

“PANDEF, led by elder states­men Chief Edwin Clark and His Royal Highness King Alfred Diette-Spiff, lack the moral jus­tification in giving an ultimatum to the Federal Government and making demands they never made from Goodluck Jonathan when he was at the helm for six wasted years.

“Instead of listening to the so-called Niger Delta activists and the compromised Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) who have mi­raculously regained the voices they lost when Jonathan was president, and instead of issuing threats through fake internet-based militant groups, PANDEF ought to have used the forum and opportunity to commend the Federal Government for ex­posing the monumental looting of our commonwealth by some sons and daughters of the soil starting from the former presi­dent, his wife Patience, cous­ins, relatives and cronies and so many other traitors; down to the mind boggling theft by Dieziani Alison-Madueke, who empow­ered others while her people lived in squalor and abject pov­erty.

“PANDEF is also pretending not to notice that the Amnesty Programme is still operating on the corrupt template that still pays ghost militants after it hoodwinked the government into believing in the fraud. A programme that has neglected the children of the dead freedom fighters and those in prison, for those that never made any sacri­fice is cursed.

“In view of our irreconcilable differences, MEND hereby re­calls its representatives in PAN­DEF for consultation with im­mediate effect.”

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