Chief Olorogun O’tega Emerhor (OON) was the APC governorship candidate for Delta State. In this interview in Abuja, he said the resurgence of militancy in the Niger Delta, is fuelled by corrupt persons, who want to fight back at the government.
Excerpt:
The Niger Delta is boiling despite various interventions by the federal government, including the Amnesty Programme. As somebody from that region, what is really the problem?
This is a matter of grave concern to us, especially the APC in Delta State. As loyal party men of Mr President and as Nigerians, it is truly horrible that this should be going on, in spite of the full awareness of Nigerians of the dire state of the economy foisted on the current government by a combination of the misrule and corruption of the immediate past PDP administration. Unfortunately, the individuals behind the dastardly activities are indeed an arm of corruption fighting back. People who are still bent on promoting their personal interests over the national interest, or the collective interest of Niger Deltans, are behind these acts.
We, in Delta State believe the Amnesty office and its coordinators can do more than what is currently going on. As a benefactor of the ex-militants, it is fair to expect the office to work, not only to sustain the peace, but also to be able to know groups that are still disgruntled and then reach out to them.
The Amnesty office should also have intelligence, through its interactions, such that adverse activities can be preemptively aborted. Even among our party people, we have individuals who are either ex-militants or have expert knowledge of the area. We also have people, who can assist in dealing and resolving issues. But, unfortunately, not much engagement has occurred in this wise. The APC in Delta State, therefore, condemns in very clear terms, the ongoing destruction of oil facilities in the Niger Delta and calls for an end to it. We stand ready to assist our party and government to find a solution as quickly as possible.
Some people are saying the attacks are outcome of the hardship the people are passing through…?
I would ask that Nigerians must exercise more patience and continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari. As you know, and from my personal experience in corporate restructuring, most times, things do get worse before they start to improve. You must also understand that our economy thrived on corruption for so long, to the extent that the abrupt attack on the cankerworm had the unfortunate effect of defueling the economy initially.
Are the people in Delta State fully receptive to the ideals of the APC-led federal government?
Yes, it is public knowledge that the APC, as the national ruling party in the country, is attracting interest of critical political players in Delta State, who share the common mission of dislodging the PDP that misruled the state for nearly 17 years. We are excited by the decision of known opposition leaders and strong former PDP stalwarts, who are now joining forces with us in this endeavor.
In particular, Chief Great Ogboru, is leading the whole structure of the Labour Party in Delta State to join us. The former speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Ochei, as you must be aware, apart from being the state leader of Accord Party, also set up a statewide structure to pursue his then governorship race in the PDP. He is also collapsing these structures into the APC.
Source: Daily Trust
