Buhari may ignore Niger Delta elders’ demands

Forum 7 years ago

Buhari may ignore Niger Delta elders’ demands

President Muhammadu Buhari may not act on the 16-point demand presented to him by elders of the Niger Delta until militants stop vandalising oil installations in the region, according to Punch.


Stakeholders from the region underthe aegis of Pan Niger Delta Forum had, at a meeting with Buhari on November 1, presented 16 points that they claimed could help the Federal Government to achieve “quick wins” in the region.

The Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, Bayelsa State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, presented the demands contained in a 10-page document, which included “inclusive participation in the oil industry and ownership of oil blocs.”

Buhari was said to have promised the delegation at the meeting, held behind closed doors inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that he would study their demands.

But a source in the Presidency told Punch on Saturday that the President might not act on the demands except the leaders succeed in restoring normalcy in the region.

“You will recall that a day after the President met with the Niger Delta delegation, there was bombing in the region. That caused a major setback for the dialogue. I can tell you that President Buhari may not act on the demands except violencestops completely in the region,” the source said.