Release Okah now ~ Militant leaders
By Alice Micah
Barely 24 hours after the Federal Government announced conditions for amnesty which it hopes would drive the peace process in the Niger Delta region, representatives of militant leaders have reacted in Port Harcourt, asking for the release of Henry Okah.
Okah, acclaimed leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, who was repatriated from Angola for gun running has been standing trial for treasonable felony.
But the militant leaders in the region who say they welcome the amnesty offer of President Umaru Yar said through their representatives at a press conference held in Port Harcourt Friday that Okah's freedom could help in the mobilization of all those who were loyal to him in the direction of accepting the amnesty deal.
According to the representatives of the militants, “Having offered peace and amnesty to all Niger Delta militants, including those undergoing criminal prosecution in various courts of law in Nigeria, we hereby appeal to President Umaru Yar'Adua, in the spirit of the peace he has offered, and with a view to facilitating an immediate restoration of peace in the Niger Delta, that Mr. Henry Okah, the leader of MEND and also one of the leaders of the Niger Delta who is presently undergoing prosecution, and who is presently in the custody of the Federal Government be released, so that he can mobilize his group and inspire them to effectively partake on this quest for peace in the Niger Delta through the amnesty granted by Mr. President”.
Although the presidency does not appear concerned at the moment about the legal issues associated with the argument of whether or not the militants are freedom fighters or criminals, the militant leaders argued that they were not criminals, but freedom fighters whose aim was to protect the Niger Delta environment from further degradation as a result of the unsafe practices of the oil companies.
Hear them, “We see the proclamation of amnesty strictly as an offer of peace, this is because the Niger Delta militants are not criminals, but freedom fighters, who have over the years given their time, money, energy, liberty and lives towards ensuring that Niger Delta people receive a fair treatment from the oil companies and the Federal Government of Nigeria, that the God-given resources of Niger Delta people are controlled by them and that the Niger Delta environment is restored and fully protected from further degradation.
Not many in the region agree with this point of view. Some who spoke to the Telegraph ask how the militant leaders came to have the money they refer to. But they say in all, what is key at the moment is to find the way forward, not to bicker over who is really telling the truth.
The Militant leaders who spoke through their representatives however, promised to work hand-in-hand with the National Peace Foundation in order to promote dialogue with the Federal Government in respect of issues connected to the amnesty option being pursued by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
As the representatives put it, “The leaders of the struggle represented by us have agreed to henceforth work with the National Peace Foundation led by Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who is also the President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society as regards all further contacts and dialogue with the Federal Government and with respect to all issues connected with the amnesty as proclaimed by President Umaru Yar'Adua”.
The militant leaders said the president's decision to declare the amnesty unconditionally goes to show that he was ready to install peace in the Niger Delta, adding, “We see in the said proclamation, a positive step forward in the quest towards finding an enduring peace in the Niger Delta”.
Those that organized the press briefing included, Chief (Comrade) Ateke Tom, Comrade Farah Dagogo, Comrade Soboma George and Comrade Ebikabowei Victor Ben (a.k.a. Boy-Loaf).
On Thursday, President Yar'Adua decided to grant amnesty to militants of the Niger Delta unconditionally, with an option for them to come out and surrender their arms.
Said the President, “I, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, after due consultation with the council of States and in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by the provisions of Section 175 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, make the following proclamation:
“I hereby grant amnesty and unconditional pardon to all persons who have directly or indirectly participated in the commission of offences associated with militant activities in the Niger Delta;
“The pardon shall take effect upon the surrender and handing over of all equipment, weapons, arms and ammunition and execution of the renunciation of Militancy Forms specified in the schedule hereto, by the affected persons at the nearest collection centre established for the purpose of Government in each of the Niger Delta States;
“The unconditional pardon granted pursuant to this proclamation shall extend to all persons presently being prosecuted for offences associated with militant activities; and
This proclamation shall cease to have effect from Sunday, 4th October 2009.” (Please see full text of the President's amnesty declaration in box)
Since that declaration by the President, mixed reactions have been received from across the country.
While so many Nigerians. Including the militants have hailed it, some others have come down heavily in opposition against it, saying it is like allowing windows for the escape of criminal minded elements.
The Joint Revolutionary Council which claims to speak for the enlarged units of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, the reformed Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force and Martyrs Brigade dissociated itself from the amnesty plan.
It said through its spokesperson, Cynthia Whyte “On behalf of the Joint Revolutionary Council comprising the enlarged units of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, The Reformed Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force & The Martyrs Brigade, I wish to announce a complete dissociation of the Joint Revolutionary Council from the Umar Yar'Adua amnesty largesse even though we recognize that it would provide great succor for bandit elements within renegade criminal ranks.
“This so-called amnesty is the latest in a series of 'Greek gifts' awarded to the people of the Niger Delta to enable smooth access to the oil in our communities. Others include the Niger Delta Development Commission (which was designed to fail from the onset) and the Ministry of Niger Delta headquartered in Abuja.”
