Updates on Niger Delta

Atlas Cove Attack, an invitation to inter-tribal war – YCEFrom AKEEB ALARAPE, IbadanMonday, July 20, 2009
•Photo: The Sun Publishing
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The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has described last week’s attack on the Atlas Cove Oil Jetty in Lagos by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) as an invitation to inter-tribal war.Speaking through its National President, Major-General Adeyinka Adebayo (retd), after an emergency meeting held in Ibadan at the weekend to review the ugly development, YCE disclosed that the elders’ body had scheduled a meeting with President Umaru Yar’Adua over the matter.According to Adebayo, the extension of violent attacks by Niger Delta militants to the South-West was an invitation to an inter-tribal conflict.The Elders’ Council also expressed its displeasure over the intractable crisis rocking Ogun State government, pointing out that the continued face-off between the executive and the legislative arms of government in the state was becoming an embarrassment to Yoruba nation.YCE expressed disappointment that neither the state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel nor the Group of 15 lawmakers opposed to the governor had honoured the peace move brokered by President Umaru Yar’Adua recently.Adebayo also disclosed that a committee of the YCE, led by him, had earlier met behind close doors with all the factions in the crisis but all to no avail.His words: “This is the second time within two months that we would be releasing communiqué on the political crisis in Ogun State . All Yoruba sons and daughters must at all times strive to adopt the concept of Omoluabi.“There is no way for war or any form of battle in Yoruba land again. The race must be noted for political sophistication, economically viable and socially progressive”, he stated.At the meeting were the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Richard Akinjide; a former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, Dr. Dejo Raimi; Secretary-General of the body, Professor Bayo Olateju, and Mrs Bolajoko Doherty, among others.