Posted by By GODWIN TSA, Abuja on
A group, under the umbrella of Niger-Delta Non Violent Movement, has raised alarm that the lingering crisis that have engulfed Rivers State is a time bomb waiting to be detonated, except a state of emergency is declared in the state.
A group, under the umbrella of Niger-Delta Non Violent Movement, has raised alarm that the lingering crisis that have engulfed Rivers State is a time bomb waiting to be detonated, except a state of emergency is declared in the state.
President of the group, Mr. Erekosima Onengiya, noted that it is only through the declaration of a state of emergency that lasting peace and true reconciliation can be achieved in the state.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja, the group said true reconciliation and peace would continue to elude the state until Governor Rotimi Ameachi extend his olive branch to his political opponents through genuine forgiveness.
It is the thinking of the group that all stakeholders in the state including the youths would use the six months period created by the state of emergency to put their house in order by settling their differences in the overall interest of the state.
Onengiya disclosed that there are so much firearms and ammunition in the hands of the youths that unless the emergency rule is declared, the state is sitting on a time bomb as the youths would become too difficult to control.
He noted that in spite of reconciliatory moves spearheaded by the youths' leaders including Ateke Tom, Soboma George and others with governor Ameachi, the governor has not shown the willingness to forgive them and work with them.
Onengiya, however, expressed the readiness of his group to reconcile all oppositions including Ateke Tom, Soboma George and others already labelled militants as they are willing to drop their arms.
Other violent groups, he said, have resolved to join the non-violent group, saying since several people have been killed in cold blood allegedly by the Joint Task Force, it was better for the Federal Government to act with the declaration of emergency and save the state and the country.
According to him, 'we are making efforts to reach out to all warring groups which indicated their readiness to sheathe their swords, but government is still killing innocent people.'
Also speaking at the event, National Youth Leader of the Action Congress, Mr. Timi Frank, said that all the governors of the Niger Delta states have failed woefully in changing the lives of citizens of the area despite the huge sum of money being collected from the federation account, saying that was the reason for youths restiveness which had become a problem to the country.
Condemning the call for additional military presence in the Rivers State, Frank noted 'if military is the solution, then it is better for a state of emergency to be declared so that the state could start afresh. I don't know why Governor Amaechi has refused to dialogue with youths or why he has resorted to labelling them criminals. I advised him to resign.'