Recognising the liberal nature of President Buhari, a Niger-Delta group have come out to pledge allegiance and support for his administration.
Former Niger-Delta militants have reportedly decided to drop their weapons and face peace.
The National Coalition of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators (NCNDE), has sent out an apology to President Buhari for the insult he received from most Niger Deltans during the electioneering campaigns.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, the President of the group, General Israel Akpodoro, said: -
“The latest appointments by the president go to show that he remains a pan-Nigeria nationalist with the accurate sense of judgement. President Muhammadu Buhari should keep up the job by appointing credible Nigerians into positions of service, especially appointment of Special Assistant to the President and chairman of Amnesty Programme. We have resolved to support the President in his service to the country.”
He also took a swipe at former President Goodluck Jonathan saying : -
“The NigerDelta people are disappointed in Jonathan. When ex-President Umaru Yar ‘Adua brought amnesty, there was an agreement that the Niger Delta should be developed. But Jonathan disappointed us; out of the 30,000 ex-agitators, about 75 per cent did not benefit from the amnesty programme under Jonathan. We fared better under Yar’Adua.”
Commenting on the threats made by the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, to return to the creeks, Akpodoro advised the President to ignore the threats.
“We are not returning to the creeks, Dokubo-Asari is on his own. Nobody should listen to him and if he makes noise, Buhari should go for him. We are appealing to this government of Buhari to do well for us. The amnesty programme should not be stopped. Boko Haram should lay down their arms and bring their agitation to government and if the amnesty is what they need, Buhari should do that for them.”
Akpodoro also asked Nigerians to give President Buhari a chance.