•Says: You’re fighting for private pockets

By Dayo Johnson Akure

THE federal government  yesterday lashed out at the Niger/Delta Avengers  saying that they are not freedom fighters but economic warriors fighting for their own private pockets. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said this while delivering the second foundation lecture of Elizade University,Ilaramokin, Ondo state entitled “The Future is here earlier than we thought”. According to him the so call avengers “are not freedom fighters but fighting for their own economic benefits.

Militants vs Buhari

“ They are avenging for their private pocket and that is why government is not talking with them. The Vice President said that  the Federal Government has concluded arrangements to tackle the menace of pipeline vandalism in the Niger/Delta region. While condemning the activities of Niger/Delta Avengers who claimed responsibility for the vandalization of petroleum pipelines in the Niger/Delta region, said “the previous government neglected the region for several years, hence the current challenges in the region.

Osinbajo noted that Federal Government has put machinery in motion to curtail the activities of Niger/Delta Avengers. He lamented that the activities of the Avengers were responsible for the epileptic power supply in the country. Also he fingered the non payment of salaries by state governors to the low revenue generated in the oil sector as a result of the attack on pipelines. The founder of the university Chief Ade Ojo said the institution was established to bridge the gap between quality education abroad and in Nigeria .

Governor Olusegun Mimiko who lamented that the centrifugal forces  threatening the unity of the country makes the call for restructuring imperative. Dr Mimiko said that the issue of restructuring cannot be wished away because the future of the country is threatened. The lecture was attended by traditional rulers including the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi amongst other Obas.