Will Ateke shun last chance?
There are worrying indications that what apparently appeared on paper to be a smooth sail towards wrapping up an amnesty deal between the Federal Government and Ateke Tom, leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement might be headed for the rocks if utmost care is not taken.
This is because of the new twist that is being introduced, this time by Ateke himself.
Although Ateke did not speak directly to the media, the statement credited to his lawyer who quoted Ateke as saying he was willing to embrace the amnesty deal sent the right signals across the country, prompting the President and Commander-in-Chief, Alhaji Umaru Shehu Yar'Adua to say he would personally take charge of the reception arrangements.
But there appears to be a turn around on Ateke's part, with the warlord saying he would not surrender his weapons in the face of an amnesty move that he obviously desires, given his disposition.
Telegraph checks suggest that Ateke has of late shunned efforts by his compatriots in MEND to drag him into the ongoing confrontation with the authorities.
Among militant groups, usually suspicious of each other except when confronted by a common enemy, there have been suspicions that Ateke has been trying to reach out to Abuja, at least to prove the point that he prefers peace to war
Said a close insider who declined his name in print, “None of those who are aligned to him (Ateke) at the moment are in any way involved in acts of destabilization targeted against the Nigerian nation, and I know this must be fuelling the suspicion.”
On his part, Ateke stresses he wants to live in peace and claims he has made the peace in Rivers State.
This is no doubt is a reference to his effort to get leaders of various armed groups to come together. One militant told this publication, “Ateke is tired of fighting. Everywhere he is preaching peace. This is consistent with his resolve to make the peace which began with trying to settle differences among disagreeing groups that had all along fought each other within Rivers State”.
To get the peace that he very much wants, Ateke has one more river to cross. He has to resolve what to do with the awesome armaments that he is reputed to have.
Can he seek peace and still have the implements of making war? That is the question that Ateke himself must answer as he makes his move and the Federal Government dangles the carrot that amnesty represents.
The show of force by the Joint Military Task Force in Delta and Bayelsa has been awesome, and the message coming from tactical command suggests the olive twig that is being waved at the moment may well be the last offer before full scale operations which are likely to shake the Niger Delta region and probably put innocent people in harm's way kick off.
While many in the Niger Delta think Ateke should go all out and make the peace that he seeks by relinquishing weapons and placing his faith in the ability of the nation to protect him, friends of Ateke argue that he probably needs arms in order to act in self defence should he be attacked by any one.
Yet, another school of thought says he could migrate to Abuja and reside there as Asari has done until things cool off or even leave the country entirely if he is forgiven by the system.
