Ex-militant leaders blast Atiku, IBB

EX-FREEDOM fighters in the Niger Delta, yesterday, described as inciting recent statements by former military President, General Ibrahim Babaginda (rtd) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, that President Goodluck Jonathan should be prepared for violent change if he made peaceful transition impossible, saying it was ‘a call for a coup’ against the Jonathan government by the North..

The repentant combatants, under the aegis of Ex-MEND Commanders Forum, were reacting to a statement credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, in which the presidential aspirants warned that “if Jonathan made peaceful transition impossible, he should be prepared for the inevitability of violent change.”

The ex-MEND Commanders, in a statement signed by High Chief Bibopre Ajube (aka Shoot at Sight), ‘General’ Ezekiel Akpasibewei (ex-leader of the Deadly Underdogs) and ‘Commander’ Micah Kpenfi (aka Ota 1) said the statements threatened the life of President Jonathan, warning that they would resist any attempt on his life.

The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the despicably treasonable statement made by former military leader, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and his co-traveler, Atiku Abubakar in which the duo threw caution to the winds, threatening President Goodluck Jonathan.

“While we hold firm the belief that the freedom of expression as enunciated in the nation’s constitution allows individuals to express their opinion on given issues, we view in every aspect of their intents, the statement made by the two leaders who have served the nation in various capacities as very dangerous for the survival of this nation.

“We have watched without concern as the debate about zoning or otherwise continue with political actors marshalling reasons why the presidency should go their way. We are not politicians; hence, we have left politics for politicians.

“Nonetheless, we are amused that both IBB and Atiku, who are from the region that has utilized the resources of the Niger Delta to rule this country for more than 30 years since independence, are today threatening fire and brimstone over an attempt by someone from the Niger-Delta to take a shot at the presidency for once.

“In unequivocal terms, their position, aside threatening the life of President Jonathan, amounts to calling for a coup; and such is treasonable in every ramification. But we must warn that we are not taking this threat on the life of an Ijaw man lightly as we shall resist any attempt to give him the Abiola treatment.

“We wish to further say that this call for violent change as canvassed by both northerners has aptly laid a dangerous foundation capable of eliciting vigilance that could eventually lead to the disintegration of Nigeria. If the intention of these leaders is to commence the process of Nigeria’s break-up, we are not unprepared for it if only to allow Nigerians enjoy their God-given resources for their benefit.

“Therefore, let it be known that the spirit of nationalism which spurred us into combative agitation in the Niger Delta remains undying in us; our acceptance of the amnesty offered in good faith by our most respected president, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua must therefore, not be taken for a ride as the nation would be stunned to mistake our new focus for Nigeria for helplessness”, the statement, said.