Former Niger Delta freedom fighter, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has warned organisers of the planned nationwide protest against hardship, scheduled for August 1, not to bring it to the Niger Delta.
Dokubo-Asari stated that the agenda of those behind the protest does not address the problems of the people in the Niger Delta. He dared them to come to the oil and gas-rich region, asserting that they would be resisted and labeling the organisers as ‘anarchists’ who are only interested in the region’s resources.
The former leader of the defunct Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force also alleged that the protest is backed by individuals who lost in the recent elections and are aiming to overthrow the current government.
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Dokubo-Asari issued this warning while speaking at the Niger Delta Sensitisation Conference for Ethnic Nationalities, Youths, and Women, with the theme ‘Come Let Us Build Together,’ held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Tuesday.
He stated, “I and all those who believe in me and those of you who are committed to the interest of the Niger Delta, we are not going to be part of any protest. It is as clear as that.
“If anybody has the right to protest, I also have the right to resist protest. Where your right stops, that is where my right begins. ”
He stated that the same individuals who protested against former President Goodluck Jonathan, a native of the Niger Delta, are now using the same tactics against another Southerner, President Bola Tinubu. He urged the people not to be swayed by persuasive rhetoric.
Dokubo-Asari stated, “I’m anti-protest. When our brother was here (making a veiled reference to Jonathan) they protested. Today, another of our brothers is here. They want to protest. That is the truth.
“When you allow yourself to be used, when you always bend your back for people to ride on you, they will continue to ride on you.
“Are our needs included in their 10 points demand? No. So, we are not important to them. But it is our resources that they want to share. I want to say that me, I have the capacity. If you carry your protest near where I am, you will collect (they will be resisted).”
While referring to the #EndSARS protest, he said, “Those who brought anti-protest and went to Oyigbo (Rivers State), they collected (they got what they deserve). Everybody knows, the government, the security agencies knows it. I gave it to them.
“Look, don’t be deceived by people’s flowery words and statements. What have they done to impact their society and the environment?
“The lack of hospitals in Buguma, Abonema, and the entire Kalabari land didn’t start today. It has always been like that. And I will not expect my friend to come (referring to President Bola Tinubu) one year later because there has been no hospital in Buguma since the 90s. I should then kick my friend out of power.
“I will not be part of it. These are anarchists. When you lose the election, wait for another election season. It is four years. Sell yourself to the people, but you don’t want to.
“After you have failed, you continue. Then you’re not patriotic; you’re the problem of this country. President Bola Tinubu won the elections against all odds. No candidate has gone through the travails President Tinubu went through to win the elections.
“Everything was against him, but he triumphed. Wait for your turn. You heard what happened in Imo State yesterday (Monday) where they killed police officers.
“That is what they want to do. And we must resist them. We must not allow them to bring their anarchy here.
“But if you are stubborn and you want to bring it here, I’m not President Tinubu, I’m not in the government, I’m not the Chief of Army Staff or the Inspector General of Police, but if you do it anyway, you will see it anyway.
“Don’t bring your protest here. This protest does not concern us, and anywhere you are doing your protest, if I’m there and you bring your protest, I know you’re a threat to me. And I will be a threat to you. That is it.
“I’m not doing it because Tinubu is my friend. I will stand firm because if I don’t do it, my life will be in danger, the lives of my children will be in danger, and the lives of my compatriots. All of you who are here will be in danger.
