Niger Delta Militants Accept Buhari’s Call for Dialogue, Declare Support for SGF

Niger Delta Militants Accept Buhari’s Call for Dialogue, Declare Support for SGF

Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s appeal on Sunday for militants in the Niger Delta to embrace dialogue with the Federal Government, so as to stop the relentless bombing of oil installations in the region, some militants on Tuesday say they are now ready for talks with the government.

The militants, in a statement, said they had no grudge against Buhari and were ready to work together with his administration to make the country better.

“We wish to assure Mr. President that the Niger Delta militants and the people are 100 per cent ready for dialogue. We have no personal grudge against him and his government and we promise to work together to make Nigeria better,” the statement read in part.

While commending the President for his readiness to negotiate with them, the militant leaders condemned the call by the Senate for the resignation of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Babachir Lawal, saying such a call was not in the interest of the country.

They said they have uncovered a plot to hire some militants to protest the removal of Lawal but warned that they would resist any attempt to sack the SGF.

“The allegation levelled against Mr. Lawal is baseless, without facts and the handiwork of saboteurs, who are planning to bring down and destroy this government by all means, knowing very well that the SGF is the engine room of this government, hard working, 100 per cent loyal to the President and a threat to some self-centred politicians.

“It is on record that the SGF has resigned his position as the Managing Director of the company (his accusers talked about) as soon as he was appointed as the SGF.

“He neither presided over nor acted on behalf of the company anymore. However, a Senate committee refused to invite the SGF for public hearing because they know what they were up to and must deliver based on the directive from their paymasters,” the statement read.