Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta to mobilise its members to support Atiku

MOVEMENT for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend) leaders plan to mobilise their members to campaign for former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the forthcoming elections as a result of their dissatisfaction with the government.

Once a militant organisation that blew up oil pipelines and destroyed petroleum facilities in the Niger Delta, Mend eventually laid down its arms and signed up to the government's amnesty programme. Despite there being peace in the Niger Delta, Mend officials say are dissatisfied with the posture of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressive Congress (APC) government to the development of the region.

In February, Alhaji Abubakar and President Buhari will face each other in a close presidential race and Mend has decided to pitch its tent with the PDP candidate in the hope that he will offer them more than the current government. They are said to be bitter with the implementation of the amnesty programme and the dwindling fortunes of people in the region since this government came to power in 2015.

One source confirmed that the mobilisation efforts of the Mend leaders is being coordinated by an influential former  public officer from Bayelsa State who manned a multi-billion agency created by former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. This influential politician who was also instrumental to  success of the Yar’Adua amnesty programme is said to have a lot of influence among ex-militant leaders.

He is said to have recently dumped the APC for the PDP in his home state and is likely be named the Niger Delta liaison officer at the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council. It is believed that former Mend commanders Ateke Tom, Farrah Dagogo, Victor Ben (Boyloaf), Joshua Macaiver and Bigbopere Ajube have signed up to support Atiku so far.

“We are on top of the situation in the Niger Delta region because all ex-agitators from the region, especially those we call the big five are solidly begin our presidential candidate. Although they had their initial reservations about Atiku because of his role in the ouster of their kinsman, Goodluck Jonathan, they finally agreed to work for him after certain concessions were made in terms of their continued involvement in the surveillance of oil installations. Recall that the arrangement was stopped by the current government so they are not happy with Buhari”, the source said.

It is not yet clear if Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo will sign up to the programme. Currently declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Tompolo is facing charges relating to pipeline protection contracts he was awarded by the government of former president Dr Goodluck Jonathan.