OGIDI TO AKPODORO: APOLOGIZE TO JONATHAN NOW.

Following the unwarranted allegation by the ex-militant leader of  National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, NCNDE-A, Comr. Israel Akpodoro, who recently alleged that the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was behind the recent unwholesome activities of Niger Delta Avengers, a group who claimed responsibility for bombing oil installations in the region.

The National Coordinator, Niger Delta Youth Forum, NDYF, Hon Ogidi Bara-Ben, in a press release issued in yenagoa 16th may 2016, on behalf of the forum, described the allegations as politically sponsored and a deliberate move to smear the former President’s image and destroy the meaningful contributions of activists to restore peace in the region.

Ogidi described the Ex-Militant leader as a mischief maker, who is out to cause confusion in order to score cheap political points and have his way to the presidency.

The group also in the statement urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to handle the renewed attacks in the region with care by meaningfully engaging the identified group, Niger Delta Avengers, through dialogue instead of using military might to address the issue, which could escalate the hostility developing in the region.

Hon. Ogidi said "The Niger Delta region has been a region of peace and treasure base of the nation. It is also unfortunate for these attacks, but we urge President Muhammadu Buhari to engage the new militant group, Niger Delta Avengers, in dialogue instead of using the military because it will cause more hostilities”, the statement added.

Below is the Press Statement:

NIGER DELTA YOUTH FORUM (NDYLF)

PRESS STATEMENT

May 16, 2016.

Yenagoa - The Niger Delta Youth  Forum (NDYLF) finds the claim of one Israel Akpodoro that former President Goodluck Jonathan is the founder of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators as not only preposterous but insulting, and a figment of his imagination.

A statement by the National Coordinator of the group, Hon. Ogidi Bara Ben expressed dismay that Akpodoro's statement is a clear indication of a man that is seeking relevance in the Niger Delta, and favour from the Buhari-led Federal Government.

Acoording to him, "Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who is a peace-loving democrat par excellence cannot stoop so low as to convene a meeting that would sabotage our economy, or divide Nigeria.

"We call on Akpodoro to stop making unfounded stories against our father, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as that is not the best way to gain favour from the Center. It's unfortunate that Akpodoro is making such unwarranted statements at a time when the Niger Deltan region is supposed to have a single voice. 

"We call on Akpodoro to as a matter of urgency tender an unreserved apology to former President Goodluck Jonathan for making such insubstantial claims against him," he said.

Signed,
Hon. Ogidi Bara Ben (OBB)
Nat'l. Coordinator, NDYF.