By Emma Amaize, Samuel Oyadongha & Egufe Yafugborhi

WARRI—LEADERS of Niger Delta Coastal States have asked the United States of America, US, to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari to, without further delay, come up with the process for genuine dialogue and negotiation with ethnic nationalities of the region to sustain the current ceasefire by militants.

Militants vs Buhari

The leaders who spoke in Effurun, Delta State, during an interface with a three-man US delegation, led by Davis Young, Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy,  also called on President  Buhari to withdraw ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ troops from the region as their presence cast questionable signals on government’s  commitment to proper dialogue.

Meanwhile, in Bayelsa State, during a courtesy visit to Governor Seriake Dickson in Yenagoa, the US  team  said that dialogue involving all stakeholders remained the best option in resolving the Niger Delta crisis.

David Young, in Yanagoa, said that they were in the state to seek the views of stakeholders, senior officials and people on a wide range of issues about the challenges and opportunities in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta.

At the Effurun, Delta State, meeting, former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, who stood in for South- South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, said: “We have been in the struggle from childhood. There is need to address the current situation fast. If we don’t arrest it on time, as majority of activities are happening in the creeks, it will cripple Nigeria’s economy because if it gets too far, we can’t contain it.

“The general feeling of government is that militants speak with one voice. Government most times uses divide and rule tactics. They call a group outside the militants, working with the army to cause confusion. We have crossed that hurdle. Chief Clark has expanded the stakeholder structure to include the whole of the Niger Delta. The US should tell the Federal Government to come to the table with sincerity.”

Chief Isaac Jemide, foremost lawyer of the Itsekiri nation and member of the last National Conference said: “We are not here for Nigeria to be divided. We want Nigeria to remain a country built on fairness and justice. Let me also stress that war mongering is not the answer. Our environment is being destroyed. There are lots of recommendations and we want to talk heart to heart with the government.

“American states that produce oil control their resources and pay tax to Washington, not to any other person. Nigeria has stayed for too long, it cannot be destroyed. Militancy cannot provide the answer, the military operations are to destabilise us.”

Prof. Gordini Darah, an Urhobo who also participated at the last National Conference said: “Injustice is the thrust of the problem. Resource ownership and control are vital to justice. For 60 years, we have found ourselves bearing the burden of injustice and the Federal Government is not helping matters. The steps being taken are a platform for engagement so that all the issues can be brought to the table. That is why the militants ceased fire.”

In Yenagoa, while receiving the team, Governor Dickson thanked the US government for its support and encouragement in deepening and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. He said the state government was committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to improve security in the Niger Delta.

Lamenting the contradiction associated with oil and gas exploration and its effect on the environment, he said, “Here in Byaelsa, you will see at a glance the contradiction associated with all the issues about oil and gas exploration and the effect on the environment. Bayelsa is the most polluted state in Nigeria and not Ogoni. In this state we experience a minimum of three spills every day.”