The Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND has met with Edwin Clark, elders, monarchs and stakeholders of the six Coastal state of the Niger Delta just it gave some conditions to support them.
It could be recalled that MEND had dissociated itself from the elders, monarchs and stakeholders meeting headed by Edwin Clark at a meeting in Warri last week, saying they will not support them to lead dialogue team with the Federal Government.
But the militant group, MEND made a U-turn on Friday, through its Secretary, Timipa Jerkins Okpripere who told Clark, elders, monarchs and stakeholders of the six Coastal states of the Niger Delta region made up of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Deelta, Edo and Rivers in Warri that MEND AAron team 2 is ready to work with them.
While saying that MEND was not opposed to Clark’s negotiation team, Okpripere said MEND recognizes Clark, elders, monarchs and stakeholders as the only group of people in the Niger Delta that can lead the negotiation team with the federal government.
One of the conditions given by MEND to the Clark group was that it must be allowed to nominate its secretary for the dialogue team.
The group also said that all groups in the region must collapse into the Clark’s team; they added that the dialogue team shall be centrally coordinated with one purpose, and under one leadership.
Other conditions are that the new negotiation team would be named Niger Delta Peace and Development group.
MEND secretary said though there were disagreement between Clark and MEND AAron Team 2, the disagreement was meant to make them stronger because they were all working towards the same direction.
Speaking, Clark said that they would look at the conditions; he promised that they will get back to MEND at the appropriate time.
He however said he was happy that MEND has agreed to meet with him, elders, monarchs and stakeholders of the region.
