President Muhammadu
Buhari has asked leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to help
him pacify rampaging militants in the oil-rich Niger Delta.
Lamenting the effect of attacks on oil installations, the
president said the country does not need such a distraction at this point in
time.
He said the militants were in possession of sophisticated
equipment, adding that unlike the Boko Haram sect which has one faction, the
militants are in so many groups, suggesting that government has been having
challenges relating with them.
Buhari was speaking on Friday, at the breaking of fast dinner with
the APC leadership at the presidential villa in Abuja.
“I honestly don’t know how many factions the militants are in the
Niger Delta compared to the north-east where you have the Boko Haram,” he said.
“The technology being deployed by the militants to destroy oil
installations is high-tech, the way they can go on high sea and international
waters and target oil installations is a national problem. It is affecting
development.
“No insurance company will want to insure installations that will
end up being blown up and no banks will want to finance such installations.
“Those of you who have friends among the leadership or even the
militants themselves should plead with them in the name of God Almighty to
take it easy.
“We are in a very difficult time, so we have to organise
ourselves. Anybody that says he has any other country than Nigeria should go
out and see.”
He expressed delight that the primary election in Edo state was
successful, and said close attention would be paid to Ondo state, which is next
in line.
“The successful conduct of APC primaries in Edo state gave me a
new hope,” he said.
“We are going to watch Ondo very closely, we have to ensure that
the vote of the people count.”
John Oyegun, national chairman of the party, said the APC was
pleased with the achievements of the president so far.
Oyegun, who acknowledged that Nigeria was passing through a difficult
time, said “change does not come cheap or easily”.
“Things must change. Those things don’t come easily. Nigeria is
clearly a difficult nation to govern,’’ he said.
Those at the event were former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar;
Ghali Na’aba, former speaker of the house of representatives; Segun Oni, the
party’s deputy national chairman (south), and Timipre Sylva, former Bayelsa
state governor.
-Thecable
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