By Emma Amaize

WARRI—IJAW Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to name the treasury looters he alleged were sponsoring militancy and also desist from criminalizing Niger Delta struggle.

National president of the group, Austin Ozobo, in a statement, said: “Our attention has been drawn to a claim by President Buhari, alleging that looters were recruiting Niger Delta militants to fight his government.

“This is a calculated attempt to sabotage the robust struggle of equitable sharing of Niger Delta oil wealth.

“He should name those looters recruiting Niger Delta militants against his government to substantiate his claim. The world understands the suffering of Niger Deltans. His claim will not derail the genuine struggle.

“Armed agitation in the Niger Delta is as old as Nigeria itself. It is unfortunate for President Buhari to say that Niger Delta militants are being recruited by looters to fight his government.

“Buhari should talk less and work more to impress Nigerians on his electioneering promises.  Niger Delta militants are not recruited by anybody,  but seem to be fighting for the well being of the region. The struggle for resource control and true federalism is not politically motivated and has no business with looters of Nigeria’s treasury.

“President Buhari should stop blackmailing and criminalizing the Niger Delta struggle.

“Buhari should tell the world the looters who recruited Isaac Adaka Boro to fight the Eastern government during the First Republic.  He should name the looters who recruited Ken Sario-wiwa to fight Abacha’s military government.

“He should also name those looters who recruited Asari Dokubo,  Tompolo and MEND to fight his predecessors in previous governments in the country.”