Polls: Niger Delta Group Denies Endorsing Buhari

The Niger Delta Renaissance (NDR), a youth group, has dissociated itself from the purported endorsement of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

“We, emphatically, state that the misguided statement issued by MEND, in support of Buhari, contradicts the aims and objectives the group stands for.

“We believe that, very soon, those behind the move to embarrass the Niger Delta region, will realise their mistakes and retrace their steps, to unite with their kith and kin that are, totally, in support of the re-election of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“Having, critically, examined the visible developmental strides of the Jonathan administration, the NDR is convinced that, in order to ensure a viable and progressive leadership in Nigeria, there is the need for the continuity of the present administration to sustain the dividends of democracy, achieved so far.

“The Jonathan administration had given unprecedented facelift to various sectors of the country. This nation had witnessed vigorous and pragmatic implementation of government policies, construction of critical infrastructure to enhance the country’s economic growth.

“It also embarked on an agricultural revolution to diversify the economy from the dependence on oil. SURE-P and the amnesty programme, have, collectively, created jobs and empowered young Nigerians with skills to make them self-reliant,” the coordinator, Wari Ogori stated.

The group, however, tasked the Federal Government to, urgently, review the justice system in the country to ensure regular decongestion of prisons, while it also called for the speedy trial and amnesty for detainees who committed minor offences.