Niger Delta: Gbaramatu Chief Calls For Holistic Dialogue to End Agitations

– Says PANDEF 16-Point Agenda will Address renewed agitation in the region

Renowned Niger Delta leader, high Chief Wellington Bobo, the Orupaowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom has stated that only a holistic dialogue that would end uproars and endless agitations in the Niger Delta, stressing that the region’s plights could be addressed by the 16-point agenda of PANDEF if implemented.

Chief Bobo stated that the agitations have continued because the Muhammadu Buhari led Federal government lack the political will to address the region’s demands.

The traditional chief added that the region had lost confidence in Buhari’s ability to address the renewed agitation as no commitment had been made since 2017, when leaders of the region prevailed on agitators into ceased fire truce.

He further lamented that the continued delay in initiating an holistic dialogue in the region was the reason for the renewed tensions in the region.

The Orupaowei also appealed with PANDEF leadership to further engage the Federal government for a round table talks, saying it is not a good sign that after 3years of prevailing on the Niger Delta agitators for a ceasefire, nothing positive had happened.

Bobo advised the Federal government not to handle the renewed agitation of oil bearing Communities over marginalization in the region with kid-glove as it was capable of snowballing into a full blown agitation.

The opinion leader said it was unfair that since Niger Delta leaders under Pandef talked Niger Delta Avengers into ceased fire the Federal government had not shown commitment to begin the proposed dialogue which brought about the ceased fire pact.

Chief Bobo urged all leaders in Niger Delta to come out from their comfort zones and prevailed on the Federal government to come to the round-table to holistically looked into the agitation of the region.

He however called on President Buhari to swing into action by kick starting the much anticipated Niger Delta dialogue by inviting critical stakeholders in the region in a view of implementing the 16point agenda handed over to him since November 2017.