Niger Delta Militant Replies Dokubo, Says Tinubu Is Our Man

Mayor of Urhobololand, Eshanekpe Israel has replied repentant Niger Delta militant Asari Dokubo over his outburst against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dokubo, a former militant and leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, NDVF had accused President Tinubu of abandoning him after supporting him to become president last year.

For that, Dokubo said, he would not support Tinubu in the next presidential election, he would form an alliance with northerners to displace him, saying the president and the south west have betrayed Ijaw people after supporting him to become president in 2023.

Dokubo is an Ijaw from Rivers state, and until now an ardent supporter of the president.

Reacting, Israel said Dokubo’s view does not represents that of other Niger Deltans, stressing that the president has done well to earn the support of the people from the oil bearing region in the country.

According to him, Tinubu has ensured development in the Niger Delta since he came to office, saying Tinubu received support from all parts of the country to emerge Nigerian leader, adding that nobody will stop  Dokubo from supporting any candidate of his choice in the next presidential election.

He said Tinubu has been fair to all the sections of the country “in his bid to build an equitable political system including empowering the next generation of Nigerians to take the mantle of leadership when their time comes.”

He said further, “It is mischievous for anyone to expect President Tinubu to patronise him at the detriment of the development and growth. He appointed a technocrat, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP; the engine of the service in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC is grinding nonstop.

“Those we trust in the region were appointed and more than ever before, our creek is experiencing peace as Tantita Security Services Nig LTD, is waging relentless war on oil thieves thereby whittling down the power of criminals.”

Meanwhile, those watching the Niger Delta affairs insist that Dokubo is angry with Tinubu because he no longer receive patronage from the administration.

They say, for instance, that rather than award crude oil protection contract to Dokubo the Tinubu administration preferred to award such multi-billion naira contracts to his rival, Government Tompolo, another repentant militant leader.