MNG commends Buhari for honoring M.K.O Abiola, wants oil theft in Niger Delta addressed

Members of the National Executive Council of the Movement for Nigerian Greatness (MNG), have applaud President Muhammadu Buhari for honouring late Chief Moshood K. O. Abiola with the highest title of the land, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

MNG national President, Mr. Oniobo Ofegor Collins, who spoke to newsmen in Asaba on the outcome of the group meeting in Beyelsa state last weekend, said the honour done on late Chief Abiola shows clearly that the President believes in the victory of the June 12th Presidential election of M. K. O. Abiola of blessed memory.

He said “we want to believe therefore, that Mr President will not only ensure a free and fair elections come 2019 but that victory will be accepted in the spirit of sportsmanship, irrespective of whom the victor may be.”

In the same vein, MNG commended Mr President for declaring June 12th as the Nation’s ‘Democracy Day’, stressing that such a declaration is in line with the principles of Franchise and also in the spirit of Democracy.

“Moreover, we hope that the 2019 general elections will possess the characteristic features of June 12 where citizens exercised their franchise devoid of religious and ethnic sentiments, and where peace and tranquillity swept the day.”

Continuing, he noted “we hope that the part where the presidential election was cancelled should not repeat itself, so as to keep the nation alive.

Notwithstanding, we want to humbly draw the attention of the Federal Government to the accusations being levelled on the JTF Commander concerning oil theft in Bayelsa and Delta states of the Niger Delta region.”

MNG implores the Federal Government to halt any plans of deploying more military troops to the region, rather, the Federal Government should commence and conduct intelligence guided investigation with a view to bringing anyone found culpable to book.

According MNG boss, this is aimed at maintaining the fragile peace the region is, and has been enjoying over the years, and on the other hand, sustain and increase the nation’s revenue via oil exploration in the Niger Delta.

“We therefore stand against anyone or any group of people who want to use this medium to bring anarchy to the region especially now that the 2019 general elections are gathering momentum.”

The group also opposed the suggestion by the Defense Minister, Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali on the suspension of the anti-open grazing law, noting that the law was made in good faith and was in tandem with the principles of federalism where component units otherwise called states are allowed by law, to make laws for the peace and security of its people.

He observed that since 2015, the rate of killings of innocent Nigerians especially by the Fulani herdsmen has skyrocketed and, the federal government had paid lip service to the atrocity being committed by the herdsmen.

“The component units have no other option than to device means within the ambit of the Nation’s Constitution to protect themselves from this unscrupulous group of people.

“MNG is of the view that deploying jets and troops to the middle-belt will not solve the problem, rather, the federal government should take that bold step and do the needful which is to create the Constitutional provision for state policing. This will effectively take care of insecurity issues in the Country.” He added.