By Emma Amaize

WARRI—THE Ijaw People Development Initiative, IPDI, yesterday, advised armed agitators in the Niger Delta region to separate personal issues affecting Niger Deltans, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, case against former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, from the genuine agitation of the region.

The group, in a statement by its acting spokesperson, Mayor Timi Ogobiri, reacting to media reports that Niger Delta militants were poised to declare war following the controversy between Dame Patience and EFCC, said it was pointless and diversionary.

According to IPDI: “If we may ask the armed agitators, what kind of war are they declaring and for what reasons? It is not known to us as observers the kind of war the militants are declaring. Is it as a result of the failed presidential parley between the region’s elders and leaders, who recently misplaced our priorities to personal gains or is it EFCC’s probe of Dame Patience? We are expressing our dismay over the armed agitators mixing Niger Delta region’s quest to individual money laundering allegation probe by EFCC. So, which of the issues above are they declaring war with the federal Government for?

“Instead of Niger Delta armed agitators channeling their grievances to the Federal Government, they should do so to our region’s PANDEF, led by Papa Edwin Clark, HRM, Pere Diete-Spiff Amayanabo, His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame   Ikenwoli, and many other elders and leaders without fear or favour, they should  speak up over their disappointment if there is any.”