Niger Delta elders blame ‘dissidents’ for failed dialogue

Elders and traditional rulers from Ijaw communities have blamed what they called ‘sponsored dissidents’ for the failed dialogue between the Federal Government and militants.

The elders, who spoke under the aegis of Progressive Elders Forum for Peace and Progress (PEFPP), said they represent the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

Rising from a meeting yesterday, they also absolved the Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Implementation Committee, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh from the alleged slow pace of the proposed dialogue.

According to them, the slow pace of work is due to the plots of dissidents, despite the efforts made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu and Boroh in bringing lasting peace to the region.

In a statement issued in Yenagoa by its leader, Alabo Joseph Whyte, they argued that those blaming the renewed bombing of oil pipelines by militants as responsible were not only unfair but also wicked.

“These are wicked and paid elders who have no shame. Most of those involved in the campaign of calumny are failures in the positions they held in the past, including the Niger Delta Development Commission,” the elders added.

They berated the allegation by the dissidents that Boroh discussed with fake militants in the process, adding it confirmed that the amnesty boss was indeed negotiating with some militants.

The elders challenged those frustrating the negotiations to show the genuine militants if they are sincere.