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Nigeria: PDP Chieftain Warns FG on Use of Military Might
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Vanguard (Lagos)
23 July 2008
Posted to the web 23 July 2008
A CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Levi Nwokeafor has cautioned the federal government against using further military alternatives in the Niger Delta region in order to ensure a " no war situation" in the creeks.
Addressing newsmen yesterday in Lagos, Nwokeafor declared that Niger Delta crisis is a local problem that should be handled locally adding that only an immediate solution can douse the tension in the region.
His words:"Any level of assistance from any where should be to avert a war situation. We all know that we must protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria but not at the expense of the citizenry.
Rather what is needed is assisting us in finding a no violence situation. That will surely prevent the crisis from escalating. Fighting people who knows the terrain of their place would amount to wasting of resources and time in finding a lasting peace," he noted.
Continuing, Nwokeafor stressed that the crisis should be addressed urgently to avoid further escalation.
"This is an issue we have to take seriously. I remember saying that summit or no summit, what they want is action. And that action is immediate development and implementation of all programmes for development. If good measures are not taken, the problem will continue to be a burning issue in Nigeria," he sated.
He further called on the federal government to allow the Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe to chair any committee on the crisis, saying that only a credible Niger Deltan can guarantee the needed development in the region.
His words: "In appointment of a successor to Gambari, I believe that the person should be a Niger Deltan.
The moment we do that, it will be better for us. I am sure that someone who knows the creeks and knows the problems can handle the situation. And that is why I am sure that Timi Alaibe can implement which ever plan that comes up.
" He has the problems of the people on his palm. He also has the master plan for development of the region on his palm and its already on ground. I can tell you that this man does not belong to the old order.
As a new breed, I think he can oversee the development of the region. Being in NDDC gives him a clear picture of what the region needs."
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He further stated that any external assistance on the crisis should be devoid of violent alternatives in order to ensure a permanent peace.
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