The National Publicity Secretary of the INC, Mr. Victor Borubo, said that rather than attempt to engage in a witch-hunt of ex-militant leaders, government should help to further integrate them into the economic development of the country.
Mr. Victor Borubo, who spoke during an interactive forum with the Ijaw Youth Action Movement in Port Harcourt on Saturday, stated that Ateke Tom and other former Niger Delta militant leaders had embraced peace after surrendering their arms, adding that they (ex-fighters) were no longer interested in going back to the creeks.
He said, “I want to pointedly call on the Federal Government not to engage in any witch-hunt, harassment or otherwise intimidation of Comrade Ateke Tom and other Niger Delta ex-militant leaders, who after surrendering their arms, according to the terms and agreement of the 2009 Amnesty deal, have maintained a low profile”.
“We are living witnesses to the role of the Comrade Ateke Tom to broker peace between various factions of Ijaw youths during the Ijaw Youth Council crisis 2013″.
“A man who worked so actively with Ijaw National Congress to build peace should be encouraged to maintain peace”.
“We should therefore not deliberately provoke or instigate crisis for political ends and throw the Niger Delta into another round of violence and insecurity”.
“The ex-agitators should be further integrated into the socio-economic development of society”.
“All Nigerians must guard against the criminalization of choice.”
The INC spokesman urged the youths to shun violence at the Supplementary elections in Rivers and Bayelsa States.
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