The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has described as irresponsible the statement credited to Niger Delta ex-militant leaders, Alhaji Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo, and Mr. Victor Ben Ebikabowei a.k.a Boy Loaf, that “President Jonathan’s victory in the 2015 Presidential elections is not negotiable and should Jonathan lose, it would be seen as direct attack on the Ijaw nation.”

ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim and released in Kaduna condemned the threat by the ex-militant leaders to unleash violence on the country and take back the Niger Delta oil if Jonathan loses next month’s ballot.

The group sprang to the defence of one-time Defence Minister, Gen. TY Danjuma, who called for the arrest of the ex-militants leaders for making such provocative and inflammatory statements.

“This statement is what is expected of an elder statesman and government officials who have sworn to protect and defend the unity of Nigeria,” ACF said.

It lamented that “most unfortunately, the threat was made by the Ijaw ex-militants in the presence of a democratically elected governor of Bayelsa state, Rt. Hon. Serieke Dickson, and the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Mr. Kingsley Kuku. Sadly too, there has been a deafening silence on the part of the Federal Government and the security agencies.”

As ACF sees it, “This has encouraged the militants to further issue a direct threat to Gen. Danjuma by giving him a seven day ultimatum to withdraw his statement or face their wrath.

“The threat to attack the business outfits of Gen. Danjuma in the Niger Delta by another group of militants for rightful condemnation of their polity reeks of lawlessness and therefore not acceptable.”

ACF stressed that it holds “Gen TY. Danjuma, former Chief of Army Staff and Defence Minister in high esteem, as a revered patriot, elder statesman and a philanthropist of repute who fought for the unity of Nigeria and has continued to play this fatherly role even in his old age. ACF will therefore not accept any threat to his person or business assets or to any law abiding citizen by any group or individuals in the name of militancy.”

The Forum reminded Niger Delta militants that “President Jonathan did not ascend to his present position through threats and intimidation, but rather through democratic means of canvassing for votes without any form of molestation throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria in 2011. The same process the President and other candidates vying for the office shall go through to emerge as Nigeria’s President in 2015 and not through intimidation, threats and ultimatum.”

The statement said that “ACF therefore views such threats and intimidation by the ex-militants as an affront not only to Gen. Danjuma but an attack on a democratically elected Federal Government of Nigeria which President Jonathan presides. It is also an open challenge to the Nation’s security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the State Security Service (SSS) and even the Nigerian military that are responsible for maintaining law and order and any form of internal and external aggression against Nigeria.”

The group called on the Federal Government “to urgently take necessary steps and contain this emerging threat to national security by Niger Delta ex-militants to avert any ugly consequences.”

•Photo shows ACF Chairman, Ibrahim Coomassie.

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