MOSIEND urges restraint over calls for Ndiomu’s sack

The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called for over the incessant calls for the removal of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, (PAP) retired Maj-Gen Barry Ndiomu.

Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West, National President of MOSIEND who spoke in an interview with our correspondent on Tuesday in Yenagoa, urged Ijaws to exercise restraint.

Tonjo-West called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to ignore the calls stressing the masterminds were notorious for engaging in such campaigns against the coordinators of PAP right from inception.

The MOSIEND president expressed concern over the ‘never-ending’ campaigns against Ndiomu and those before him by fellow Ijaws.

He warned those behind the smear campaign not to forget that the PAP was not initiated for the Ijaws alone, but every other concerned ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta.

According to him, this was the same way the so-called ex-militants went about campaigning against Kingsley Kuku, Paul Boroh, Charles Dokubo and the others.

West said that in spite of the fact that the budget for the PAP had not been increased from N65 billion since 2014 – with high inflation rate, Ndiomu and his predecessors had been able to manage the affairs of the programme and bring about some level of stability in the region.

Tonjo-West wondered why the people behind the campaigns were not bold enough to complain or agitate for an increase in the budget to meet present realities.

He therefore called on those concerned to have a round-table with Ndiomu who would in turn, table the matter to his principal to reinstate those with genuine cases; rather than disgracing themselves and the entire Ijaw nation.

He said the current challenges in the PAP office were caused by ex-militant leaders especially phase 2 from the Ijaw nation, who meddled into the internal workings of the Amnesty Office.

He noted that the interference by influential ex-agitators leaders almost led to the abrupt termination of the programme.

He said it is unreasonable that a few years later, same set of notorious, selfish ex-militant leaders are now using the problems they caused with their own hands to witch-hunt Ndiomu who has had an impeccable character during his service to the nation as a military personnel.

Tonjo-West advised Ribadu to pay deaf ears to the calls for Ndiomu’s sack and work with him based on merit and not sentiment; as he warned the Ijaws and their collaborators who are known for attempts to pull down anybody who doesn’t do their bidding to desist.

He cautioned people and organisations in Niger Delta against ‘pull him down syndrome’ and calling for sack of illustrious sons and daughters of the region who have worked so hard to get to the position of authority.

He explained that such an attitude does not speak well about the people of the region.