The Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, has stressed the need for militants to eschew violence and shun the destruction of oil facilities as the resulting crisis could defeat their legitimate cause and disenfranchise Niger Deltans from electing more friendly Nigerian leadership in this year’s polls.
Barr Otuaro stated this while speaking to journalists in Warri on the recent threat by the militants to resume attack on oil installations beginning with trunk lines at Bonny and Nembe in Bayelsa, Forcados in River, and Delta States.
He called on a group of militants under the aegis of Niger Delta Creek to use dialogue in driving home their demands as violence would obstruct development of the Niger Delta.
The Deputy Governor appealed to the Federal Government to implement the demands of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), noting that non – violent approach had the engender goodwill for a better society.
Barrister Otuaro, who is also the Chairman, Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of oil and gas facilities, recalled that non violence protest by the Ijaw Youth Council with its enlightened, moderate and constructive engagements with Federal Government by several organizations attracted the sympathy of Nigerians and the international community for positive results.