Confusion as militants reject PANDEF, PNDPC

WARRI—IT was a chaotic situation in the Niger Delta region yesterday, as Reformed Egbesu Assembly, REF, a merger of three militant groups, renounced the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, and Pan Niger Delta Peoples’ Congress, PNDPC, both currently battling for control of the region.
PANDEF, led by Chief Edwin Clark, was formed by Niger Delta monarchs and leaders last year and given the mandate by militants, including the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, to take over further dialogue with the Federal Government.

Meanwhile, PNDPC, headed by former National Chairman of Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, and Paramount Ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom, Delta State, His Majesty Charles Ayemi-Botu, was mandated by the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers, RNDA, and nine other militant groups, last week, to take over further dialogue with the Federal Government from PANDEF.

FG foot-dragging 
because of Clark—REF
Tamarakuro Owei, spokesperson of REF, which comprise Egbesu Red Water Lions, Egbesu Mightier Fraternity and Egbesu Marine Commandoes, in a statement disowning the two groups, said: “The fact remains that the Federal Government is foot-dragging on the actual peace negotiations because of Chief Clark as PANDEF’s leader.
“Here is a man who has been negotiating since 1999 on behalf of the Niger Delta, yet the issues get worse and nothing substantial has been achieved.
“At the same period under review, he was able to establish the Edwin Kiagbodo University and the E.K. Clark Foundation for himself from the patronage he curried.
“We have withdrawn our mandate and support for him and any further dealings with him is in his personal capacity as a Niger Deltan, not for the region and on our behalf.
“We are terribly pained and seriously disappointed that those who facilitated the 60-day cessation of hostilities are today being sidelined by Chief Clark and other self-serving leaders and elders.”

… blast Loyibo
On PNDPC, Owei said REF also reviewed the appointment of certain persons, including His Majesty Ayemi-Botu, Pere of Seimbiri Kingdom and Chief Mike Loyibo to replace Chief Clark and PANDEF.
He stated: “We are not taken by surprise because Mike Loyibo has been making surreptitious move to position himself as a leader of the Niger Delta and he can go to any length to give the false impression to the public and the Federal Government in particular.
“We were amused and highly disappointed that Mike Loyibo could go to the extent of dropping names of prominent citizens to the Ijaw nation because he wants to lead the Niger Delta.
“The coalition is not only fake, it is a media creation to give the false impression that militants have given the said Mike Loyibo mandate to lead the dialogue.”
No need for Loyibo, Silva
—Ex-militants groups’
Also, the high command of the various ex-militants groups in a statement by Niger Delta Avengers, backed Clark and Minister of Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu.
The group, in a statement, said: “The Niger Delta militant groups in the region met at Kaiama town in Bayelsa State and after long deliberations resolved that Mr. Loyibo, Chief Timipere Silver and others listed to represent the people of the Niger Delta region to discuss matters of the region with the Federal Government is uncalled for.”
The statement was signed by ‘Brig-General’ Edmos Ayayeibo, spokesperson Adaka Boro Avegera, ABA; ‘General’ WOI Izon Ebi, spokesperson of Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders; ‘General’ Christ Etareotu, Niger Delta Creek Warriors, NDCW; ‘Brig-General’ Etigbein Oghene, Ogunuma Camp of Niger Delta, OCOND; ‘General’ Ovie Yinks, Niger Delta Redemption Fighters Coalition Group, RFCG; ‘General’ Santana Otuks, Niger Delta Republic Seekers, NDRS, and ‘Brig-General’ Esuku Friday, Niger Delta Green Revolutionaries, NDGR.
They said: “Loyibo and MEND are trying to draw us back.”

I was chosen—Loyibo
Meanwhile, responding, Chief Loyibo said: “Same militants that gave PANDEF mandate withdrew it and named us as the new face of the region. 
“Clark was busy calling people, lobbying them not to accept their nominations. Nobody is contesting that Clark is our father and leader, but the people have taken back their mandate.”

... Urhobo youths
Meanwhile, Coalition of Urhobo Youth Leaders for Positive Change, CUYLPC, yesterday, said that the seemingly leadership tussle between PANDEF, led by Chief Clark, and PNDPC, headed by His Majesty Charles Ayemi-Botu, was an indication that the region required change of leadership.
The group, in a statement by its President, Darlington Kipharo, said: “Papa Clark and other members of PANDEF had a good relationship with Dr. Goodluck Jonathan when he was President yet the region was completely neglected and they did not set up a negotiation team similar to PANDEF to compel Jonathan to give priority to the region.
“The likes of Papa Clark and some elders in PANDEF have done their best and tried in the past, but they should allow others to continue from where they stopped.”

Oro youths endorse Clark
However, Oro youths nationality in Akwa Ibom State, under the aegis of Oro Youth Movement, OYOM, yesterday, threw their weight behind PANDEF and the Convener, Chief Clark, saying the forum should continue dialogue with the Federal Government and other stakeholders on behalf of the region.
The group, in a statement by the President, Etifit Nkereuwem, condemned what it described as an “unpatriotic act” of the Coordinator of PNDPC, Chief Loyibo, saying “we declare our unflinching support and loyalty to the Chief Clark-led PANDEF.”