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MEND Accepts Niger Delta Avengers’s Ceasefire, Kicks Against Clark Heading Dialogue

Published

8 years ago

August 22, 2016

Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, yesterday, commended the decision of the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, to cease hostilities and dialogue with the Federal Government, but gave conditions for embracing the group in peace talks.

It, however, opposed the involvement of Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, in the dialogue, threatening to pull out and disband Aaron Team 2 if government decides to hold a separate dialogue with the NDA team led by Clark.

However, a source close to Chief Clark, who does not want his name in print, said that MEND does not exist and those using its name do not want peace, asking: “When was it declared by Chief Clark or NDA that Clark is leading an NDA delegation. He (Clark) convened a meeting of Niger Delta monarchs, leaders and stakeholders, which took a decision to set up a pan-Niger Delta body in the mold of Afenifere and Arewa to advocate and speak with one voice on issues about Niger Delta coastal states.

“NDA and other militant groups accepted the initiative of Niger Delta leaders, saying they believe that Clark would not sell out. What is really the problem of MEND? Why is it saying that Clark is the leader of NDA delegation when he is not?

“I also want to correct the wrong impression that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was part of the conveners of the meeting. He was invited to attend the meeting and I am beginning to wonder if MEND actually wants peace. Why are they pulling out of the talks if Clark in involved because that is what you (Vanguard) are telling me now.”

On the other hand, spokesperson of MEND, Jomo Gbomo, maintained that the Federal Government should not hold meetings with the patrons, sponsors, supporters and sympathizers of NDA, as revealed by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, until they “publicly renounce all forms of hostility against Nigeria.”