Contrary to the impression that the leaders and militants in the Niger Delta were against the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, some elders in the region have risen in defence of the President, saying that only persons and groups with ulterior motives were opposed to him and his government.
Militants vs Buhari The elders under the platform of, Concerned Niger Delta Elders, were reacting to the renewed bombing of oil and gas facilities in the Niger Delta, pointing out that the bombers were working for their selfish interest and not that of the collective wellbeing of the region and its people.
National Coordinator of CNDE, Chief Ekayama Loyibo, who spoke with Vanguard in Abuja, pointed out that those who were still working against Buhari in the region were yet to wake up to the reality that he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Loyibo, who is the Arepamowei of Kabowei Kingdom in Delta State, and National Coordinator of Nigerian Leaders for Peace, explained that there was no justification for any genuine Niger Delta person to work against the administration of Buhari, given the clear fact that he has done more for the region in one year than what their son, former President Goodluck Jonathan, did in eight years.
“Our position is that Buhari means well for the Niger Delta region going by the steps he has so far taken. From what he has so far done, it is clear to us and other well-meaning Niger Delta people that Buhari is genuinely interested in the development of the area and should be encouraged by all to achieve his set agenda for the region.
“If you compare what Buhari has done for the Niger Delta region with what our son and brother, Goodluck Jonathan, did for six and a half years, you will agree that Buhari has done better in one year. “What we therefore, owe Mr. President is to cooperate with him and encourage him and his administration to turn the Niger Delta into another Lagos and Abuja so that the crime rate would reduce.”
