Amnesty programme, jamboree for criminals – MEND

                                       

MOVEMENT for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, yesterday, described the Federal Government’s amnesty programme for ex-militants as a jamboree meant for criminals in need of pardon.

MEND, through its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, while congratulating President Mohammadu Buhari on his swearing-in as President, lampooned those calling for the sustenance of the amnesty programme saying: “We have always noted that the amnesty programme was a jamboree meant to address demands of people who accepted they were criminals in need of pardon.

“The programme does not address the real reasons genuine agitators went into the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta.

“Our struggle for fairer share of oil proceeds for the development of the Niger Delta and the overall betterment of the country, is based on principle such that any person with a sense of decency such as President Buhari, can rise up to handle.”

Reiterating its support for President Buhari, it warned stakeholders in the region against distracting him saying, “While we respect the rights of any group to decent agitation, we warn those whose sole aim is to distract Buhari from focusing on the task ahead as he needs time to clear the pile of corruption, underdevelopment and advance equity in the Nigerian federation.”