Only SNC can solve n-delta problem, says Asari-Dokubo

BENIN CITY — THE leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo, says peace may not come soon in the Niger Delta unless the convocation of a sovereign National Conference by the Federal Government.

He said President Musa Yar’Adua is worsening the crisis in the country with what he described as his “lop sided appointments”, adding that “ what we have today is not a nation but a mere geo-graphical expression which came about due to the mistake of 1914”.

Alhaji Dokubo, who spoke to newsmen in Benin City, when he accompanied Governor Adams Oshiomohle, to inspect some on-going projects in Benin City, admonished the government to shun the proposed amnesty for militants which he described as illegal and unconstitutional and face reality, which according to him was the “convocation of sovereign National Conference, not just for the Niger Delta but for the entire country.

“Where all of us will sit down and discuss and it is only those who does not want peace that will kick against it.

Look at Yar’Adua’s appointments and key positions, they are all given to the North.

All key positions are given to the North and these are the people who benefited from the evil committed in 1914” he asserted.  On the amnesty to militants, the NDPF, leader said “ it is unconstitutional.

It does not have any legal authority to grant amnesty or pardon any body who has not been convicted in a country law.

There is no law in Nigeria that talk about amnesty for some one who has not been convicted. A man iis presumed militant until convicted in a court of law. So who are you giving amnesty now?

“Or are you giving amnesty to people who have killed or kidnappers. You are only encouraging criminality. As for Tompolo, he is not a militant but a freedom fighter.

I know him, I can vow for him so no body should call Tompolo a militant and he does not need the amnesty because he has not committed any offence” he stated.