At its meeting of Tuesday, October 27, the leadership of the Action Congress, AC, was treated to what could be described as the home truth. At least, this was the first time in a very long while that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would be attending such a meeting.

Former Head of Department at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and Professor of English and Literature, Professor Tony Afejuku is a household name in the Niger Delta struggle. In this interview, the blunt defender of the rights of his Itsekiri people, critic of the President Umaru Yar’Adua policies in the Niger Delta and controversial commentator on contemporary issues, says the amnesty programme of the Federal Government will fail.

Tension is building up afresh in the Niger Delta after the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) declared on Friday that it was ending its 90-day cease fire. It told oil companies and the military to brace up for renewed attacks. The following reports examine the events surrounding the latest development.

PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua on Thursday, June 26, 2009 proclaimed the unconditional amnesty to all Niger Delta militants in the creeks and those facing prosecution in the law courts.

I was injured in one of our Olympic qualifiers ie against Cote d’Ivoire. And the match was played here at the National Stadium. I was deliberately kicked by an opponent from behind. Initially, I thought it was just a minor injury.