Dickson calls for shifting of proposed meeting of MEND commanders in Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has called for the cancellation of the proposed meeting of the leaders of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta as convened by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

Dickson also said he would soon meet with the former warlords and commanders to hold the meeting at a new date and venue.

A former militant, Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo, under the aegis of the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had issued a notice to other ex militants’ leaders for a proposed meeting scheduled for Saturday, July 25 in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The meeting which was publicised in the state-owned television and radio stations in the state announced that the ex agitators , including generals, wing leaders and other commanders, would meet in the state capital, even as motive of the meeting was not publicly disclosed.

However, Governor Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Markson Iworiso disclosed that, “the Governor will meet with them soon, to discuss issues as it affects the ex-agitators and others issues of overall strategic interest of the region and the nation as a whole.

Gov Dickson also called for the understanding and cooperation of all concerned persons toward the cancellation.

It would be recalled that High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, earlier in the week, had summoned a meeting of ex-commanders in Bayelsa State under MEND, in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Paul Bebeminibo and signed by Tompolo himself.

“My dearly beloved Commanders and Leaders of various wings of the Movement of the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), I greet you all. It is my pleasure to humbly invite you to a very crucial.”

Tompolo, who is a close confidant to former President Goodluck Jonathan, had his multimillion naira surveillance contract with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) cancelled by the administration of President Mohammad Buhari.

Observers fear that the proposed meeting may provide the platform for the reviving of MEND agitation, which was declared non-existent during the trying days of the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.

Although the agenda of the meeting is being closely guarded by the conveners, issues like the recent statement credited to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo that the perceived poor performance of Jonathan will continue to affect the Niger Delta region, may be discussed.

Also believed to be another matter proposed for discussion is the alleged plan by President Mohammad Buhari to probe, arrest and jail Jonathan as well as Buhari’s refusal to accede to the plea by the people of the region for the quick appointment of a substantive Special Adviser on Amnesty Programme and payment of outstanding three months allowances and tuition fees of ex-militants undergoing scholarship trainings in Nigeria and abroad.

“If you check the region, since assumption of power by President Buhari, there are signs of tension due to the administration’s perceived animosity against the region and the beneficiaries of the Federal Government Amnesty deal. Women have cried out. Ex-Militant Generals have pleaded but no answer from Buhari. We cannot fold our hands and let the boys be provoked into violence,” the MEND spokesman said.

Paul Bebeminibo, the Media Aide to Tompolo, while confirming the notice, said the meeting is to deliberate on some important national issues.

“It is a meeting that will discuss a wide range of issues including those that affect the Niger Delta region,” he said.