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Ohanaeze, others seek 50% derivation for Niger Delta
NIGERIA leaders and groups yesterday continued the search for lasting solutions to the Niger Delta crisis.
The chairman of the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Senator David Brigidi and a former super permanent secretary as well as former Presidential Economic Adviser, Chief Philip Asiodu, opposed the military action in the region and demanded for meaningful dialogue with the armed groups.
Also yesterday, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) yesterday claimed that it had been offered N2.32 billion ($20 million) ransom by the Federal Government to drop its ultimatum to Julius Berger (Nig) Plc to quit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
MEND claimed that the government made the offer through its chief negotiator, the secretary to the Federal Government.
Although the body did not mention the name of the top government official, even then the office named by MEND does not exist, as there is only the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which is occupied by Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe.
When contacted, a senior government official told The Guardian yesterday that it was not true that such money had been offered to MEND.
Also at the weekend, the Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, reviewed the Niger Delta crisis and concluded that the plight of the people would be ameliorated by a return to 50 per cent derivation principle.
Ohanaeze observed that such concession would not be too much a sacrifice for an area that produces the major resources for the country's development.
The body said that the area had suffered immeasurably from the failure of true federalism in the nation and from inequitable revenue allocation formula.
Rising from its meeting in Enugu, Ohanaeze expressed solidarity with the Niger Delta over the recently concluded constitution review retreat, stressing that, the success of the event could re-write the history.
It reaffirmed support for the on-going consultations for the review of the 1999 Constitution, saying it would be an opportunity for the nation to return to the vision of its founding fathers.
That vision, according to the Igbo leaders was based on the principle of true federalism in which each region was in control of its resources and its internal affairs. They said that the new constitution must create opportunity for the people to determine the rules, which regulate their union.
Chairman, Ohanaeze Research and Publications Directorate, Prof. Ben Obumselu, in a statement he signed after the meeting, also deplored the state of the economy, saying that the hopes that were raised at the beginning of the present administration were fast turning to anxiety.
The group said the nation "has everything it takes to move forward", if its leaders were devoted to the common purpose.
The body also drew attention of the Federal Government to the continued neglect of the South-East zone in federal appointments, allocation of resources as well as provision of common services.
It asserted that no action had been taken to implement the resolution of the 2005 National Reform Conference to create another state in the zone.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Senator David Brigidi and Chief Philip C. Asiodu have called for the demilitarisation of the region to pave way for the resolution of the conflict in the area.
But the Action Congress (AC) in Rivers State has lauded Governor Chibuike Amaechi for concluding arrangement to engage the services of additional 1,000 soldiers to beef up security in the state.
Brigidi at the weekend in Port Harcourt urged the National and State Assemblies to pass a resolution calling on all militants to lay down their arms and for the demilitarisation of the region.
Asiodu said rather than demonise all militants and their leaders in the Niger Delta, the Federal Government should engage them in dialogue in good faith to stem the unrest region.
The Action Congress (AC) Publicity Secretary, Mr. Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, described Amaechi's decision as a commendable step considering the precarious security situation in the state.
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