The leadership of the new Niger Delta group, under the auspices of the Pan-Niger Delta People’s Congress, has urged the aggrieved militant groups in the region to maintain the current ceasefire and provide an enabling environment for productive dialogue.
The leadership of the new body made the call on Monday at a press briefing held at the Warri Palace annex of the Paramount ruler of Seimbiri kingdom, Dr. Charles Ayemi-Botu.
The briefing was to formally accept the the mandate given to the body by the Coalition of Militant Groups to mediate between them and the Federal Government.
Addressing the press, the leader of the PANDPC, Ayemi-Botu, said that Niger Delta had suffered hiccups in recent times, attributing the situation to the political leaning and advocacy style of the leaders in the region.
The paramount ruler advised the leader of the PAN-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, to step aside and allow younger leaders in the region to take over.
He said, “Papa Clark has paid his dues, but he is currently having challenges leading the region. The time to bow out and rest is now. Let younger ones go and report back to him.
“It is time for change and this is why the proclamation of the militant groups on a new platform to lead the Niger Delta did not come as a surprise.
“We are accepting this call not just from the militants but from the peace-loving people of the Niger Delta.”
Ayemi-Botu advised members of the PANDPC across the Niger Delta to work more assiduously to attract massive infrastructural and human capital development to the region.
He also said that they would consolidate on the achievements of the sister group, PANDEF, ensure the implementation of the 16-Point Agenda and other aspects of development that would impact on the life of the people.
Also, the National Coordinator of PANDPC, Mr Mike Loyibo, said that the new platform would comprise persons of proven integrity.
“Some members of PANDEF are among us. We are not fighting each other, just we want the right thing to be done to achieve result,” he said.
