ACF TASKS POLITICIANS ON PEACE IN NIGER DELTA

Efforts by the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration to foster peace in the Niger Delta region and thus bring about sustainable development in the area needs the support of politicians in the region, the Arewa Consultative Forum has said.

Coordinator of the forum in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Alhaji Musa Saidu, who stated this a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the federal government and the Rivers State Government to bring peace to the troubled region.

Decrying activities of unscrupulous politicians whom he accused of benefiting from the crisis in the region and thus worked surreptitiously and fervently to undermine the success of the amnesty programme, he expressed optimism that the issue of militancy will be resolved.

Alhaji Saidu debunked rumours about the insincerity of Governor Chibuike Amaechi regarding the amnesty programme, saying politicians who were not comfortable with the aftermath of the amnesty programme were behind such rumours.

“People are saying Ateke will not surrender his arms, and Governor Amaechi is not sincere, but I want to say that all that is false. All those accusing Amaechi and carrying such rumours are liars. They are politicians who are afraid that if Ateke exposes his sponsors they will be implicated,” he said adding “instead of providing jobs, they provided guns, now they are afraid”.

Calling on the government to “initiate policies that will alleviate the suffering of the masses,” the ACF chieftain said “the amnesty will work when there is sincerity and justice,” and commended the Governor Amaechi administration for its achievements in education and health and security.

“Amaechi is a Governor that has tried, God brought him to do good in Rivers State but he needs support. Amaechi has brought peace in Rivers State,” he stressed, urging politicians to allow the will of the people to prevail in the forthcoming 2011 election, saying “2011 will be a very tough year but only politicians who have performed will be re-elected”.

On the ASUU strike, Alhaji Saidu called on the federal government and striking lecturers to put the interest of the poor masses first and amicably resolve the issue.

“The interest of the poor masses should be considered. The children of the politicians are schooling abroad so it does not affect them. They should see to it that the issue is amicably resolved,” the ACF chieftain said.