MEND hails President, Okah parley – The Guardian
October 21, 2009 by Bunmi Awolusi
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has endorsed the meeting between President Umaru Yar’Adua and one of its leaders, Henry Okah.
The group said it was a welcome development as it could lead to the attainment of genuine and lasting peace and justice in the region.
MEND, which five days ago declared its readiness to resume attacks on oil facilities and the military in the zone, said yesterday it might ask its fighters to stand down from their level of alert to pave way for dialogue with government.
The group said that after the conclusion of its campaign against the Federal Government, it would turn the heat on corrupt governors and other public officials, who impeded development in the region.
Its spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, said yesterday that the response by the President’s spokesman, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, indicates that the Federal Government is now open to meaningful dialogue with everyone, including a team of eminent Nigerians nominated by MEND to negotiate on its behalf.
