Anxiety as ex-militant leaders regroup for Atiku

Former leaders of the disbanded Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) are mobilising for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

It was gathered this is brewing tension among power brokers in the party, especially from the North.

The mobilisation is said to be coordinated by an influential former top public officer from Niger Delta, who led a multi-billion agency.

He recently dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for PDP, and could likely be chosen as the Niger Delta liaison officer of PDP Presidential Campaign Council.

It was not clear whether leader of the disbanded MEND, Government Ekpomupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, was part of the deal.

But sources said top commanders of the defunct MEND, popularly referred to as the “Big Five” – Ateke Tom (a traditional ruler in Rivers State), Farrah Dagogo, Victor Ben (Boyloaf), Joshua Macaiver and Bigbopere Ajube (Shoot at Sight) – were deeply involved.

A source close to PDP Presidential Campaign Council said meetings had been held in Warri, Port Harcourt, and Abuja to seal the deal for Atiku’s election.

He said: “We are on top of the situation in Niger Delta because ex-agitators from the region, especially those we call the big five, are solidly behind our presidential candidate.

“Although they had their initial reservations about Atiku because of his role in the ouster of their kinsman, Goodluck Jonathan, they finally agreed to work for him after certain concessions were made in terms of their continued involvement in the surveillance of oil installations. Recall that the arrangement was stopped by the current government so they are not happy with President Muhammadu Buhari.

“What we intend to do is to possibly make some minor adjustments as regards the security approach in Niger Delta.

‘’But as we speak, not everyone, particularly those leaders from the North, are comfortable these ex-warlords are about returning to a renewed era of influence and profligacy that pervaded the Jonathan Presidency’’, the source said.

(The Nation News Nigeria)