How Okowa’s SSA on Security persuaded NDEAF to halt protest against Dikio’s led Presidential Amnesty program

By Ovasa Ogaga,———–

Facts are beginning to emerge on how Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum, NDEAF, where on Sunday persuaded to call off their proposed protest over neglect of the Phase 111 Leaders, by the Interim administration of the Presidential Amnesty program, under the leadership of Col. Milland Dixon Dikio, Rtd.

Advocate.ng gathered that the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Security, Comrade Daniel Pere Ezekiel with other leaders brokered the peace that halted the planned protest.

Comrade Ezekiel, a Senior Special Adviser on Security matters to Dr Ifeanyi Okowa was said to have waded into the issue as soon as he learnt of the planned protest “You know he is a Niger Delta Activist and one key reason why he was able to convince the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators to shield their sword was that they saw him as one of their own, he made the pain of our people his concern, which has led to his arrest on several occasions” a source close to the Ex Agitators said.

“Despite being in government, he had always fought their cause, he (Comrade Ezekiel) had to reach out to the newly elected Ijaw national Congress (lNC) and High Chief, Government Ekpemupolo who prevailed on them to call off the protest.”

 

 

Recall that the proposed protest, which was earlier scheduled for May 18th 2021, was called off via a press statement jointly signed by seven of the Generals, Gen. Able Showman ( Edo State ), Gen. Birinumughan Jesse ( Delta State ), Gen. Aboy Brown ( Ondo State ), Gen. Godgift Igoli ( Akwa Ibom State ), Gen. Oloye Ofovwei Clement ( Delta State ), Gen. Kenneth Kpea ( Rivers State ) and Gen. Whoknows Tomorrow ( Bayelsa State ), the Spokesman of the Group, General Ogidigba Godstime, and the Planning Committee chairman, General Prince Efe.

In the statement, the Phase Three Leaders had hinted that their decision to call off the proposed protest was as a result of the Delta State Government, the DSS, and other critical stakeholders in the region’s swift intervention, who had prevailed on them to halt their planned protest, as the key issues raised by them will be addressed immediately within two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Phase 111 Leaders warned against any form of politicking with their demands, threatening that it will result in something worse than their earlier planned protest.

The Forum also in the statement thanked the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the DSS and every other Stakeholder. Who waded into the situation, thereby prevailing on the Interim administration to without delay makes moves in addressing their demands.

The statement reads:

“We the Phase Three Leaders of the Presidential Amnesty program, wish to use this medium to announce the calling off of our proposed protest, which was conceived as a result of the gross neglect of the Phase Three Leaders, by the interim administration of the Presidential Amnesty program”.

“We are using this avenue to state that, our decision to call off the protest was not as a result of lack of might or capacity. Rather, it was as a result of the swift intervention of the Delta State Government, the DSS and several other critical Stakeholders in the Niger Delta Region. Who reached out to us and initiated moves to engage the Amnesty Board in addressing our yearnings.

“We want to once again, reiterate that, the Phase Three Leaders of the Presidential Amnesty program. Has been neglected since the inception of the interim administration headed by Milland Dikio and we have been deprived of all benefits accruable to us.

“It was on this premise, we the Phase Three Leaders decided to Carry out our earlier planned protest in order to correct the anomalies and accord us the necessary courtesy we deserve.”