President Muhammadu Buhari has asked leaders of
the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to help
him pacify rampaging militants in the oil-rich Niger
Delta.
Lamenting the effect of attacks on oil installations,
the president said the country does not need such a
distraction at this point in time.
He said the militants were in possession of
sophisticated equipment, adding that unlike the
Boko Haram sect which has one faction, the
militants are in so many groups, suggesting that
government has been having challenges relating
with them.
Buhari was speaking on Friday, at the breaking of
fast dinner with the APC leadership at the
presidential villa in Abuja.
“I honestly don’t know how many factions the
militants are in the Niger Delta compared to the
north-east where you have the Boko Haram,” he
said.
“The technology being deployed by the militants to
destroy oil installations is high-tech, the way they
can go on high sea and international waters and
target oil installations is a national problem. It is
affecting development.
“No insurance company will want to insure
installations that will end up being blown up and no
banks will want to finance such installations.
“Those of you who have friends among the
leadership or even the militants themselves should
plead with them in the name of God Almighty to
take it easy.
“We are in a very difficult time, so we have to
organise ourselves. Anybody that says he has any
other country than Nigeria should go out and see.”
He expressed delight that the primary election in
Edo state was successful, and said close attention
would be paid to Ondo state, which is next in line.
“The successful conduct of APC primaries in Edo
state gave me a new hope,” he said.
“We are going to watch Ondo very closely, we have
to ensure that the vote of the people count.”
John Oyegun, national chairman of the party, said
the APC was pleased with the achievements of the
president so far.
Oyegun, who acknowledged that Nigeria was
passing through a difficult time, said “change does
not come cheap or easily”.
“Things must change. Those things don’t come
easily. Nigeria is clearly a difficult nation to
govern,’’ he said.
Those at the event were former Vice-President Atiku
Abubakar; Ghali Na’aba, former speaker of the
house of representatives; Segun Oni, the party’s
deputy national chairman (south), and Timipre Sylva,
former Bayelsa state governor.
https://www.thecable.ng/please-help-beg-militants-
buhari-tells-apc-leaders
