Former militants of Urhobo descent who were granted an amnesty under the administration of the former President Musa Yar’Adua have asked the president-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, to continue with the amnesty programme to avoid a return to the creeks by the militants.
Speaking on behalf of the former Urhobo agitators, one of the leaders, Lucky Johnson, while addressing journalists in Warri, Delta state, on Monday, said the ex-agitators would only work with Buhari if the amnesty agreement reached between former militants and the federal government was respected and maintained after the expiration of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, Tribune online reports.
Johnson, however, congratulated General Buhari on his victory at the presidential polls and appealed to him to ensure that the people of the region were given a voice in the incoming regime.
While condemning the recent attacks on oil pipelines in Urhobo land by aggrieved youths, Johnson called on the federal government to award Urhobo youths the contract for the surveillance of oil facilities in their land. According to him, “APC-led government must carry the people of the region along and cater for the welfare of our people, especially the youths for the existing peace to be sustained.”
Before the elections, some ex-militants under the auspices of the Niger Delta Vigilante (NDV) pledged support for Buhari.
The militants urged Buhari to continue with the amnesty programme or risk seeing the militants going back to the creeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment