21 August 2016•Update: 22 August 2016
By Rafiu Ajakaye
LAGOS
Nigerian oil militants Sunday backed down on their threat to break away from the country, saying they would support dialogue with the government if they can choose the figures to lead the effort, in particular Edwin Clark, a senior statesman and mentor of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We are going to support any collective/negotiation team emerging from the Chief (Dr.) Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark Niger Delta elders and genuine stakeholders’ conference to engage with the federal government of Nigeria,” Mudoch Agbinibo, spokesman for the dreaded Niger Delta Avengers militant group, said in a statement.
Agbinibo also said the talks should involve the home countries of oil firms operating in the region and “neutral international mediators,” while also focusing on frameworks and objectives to de-escalate tensions in the delta.
The militants said they would observe a cease-fire during the period of the talks as a goodwill gesture, but warned of larger violence if “this opportunity fails” or the government continues arresting its members or locals in the oil region.
On Friday, Agbinibo had threatened that they would lead separation of the oil region from Nigeria if the government fails to implement reforms targeted at tackling poverty and changing the country’s political structure.
On Wednesday, Agbinibo also denied that the group was holding any talks with Abuja, just hours after a spokesman from the militants claimed a negotiation team had been set up. The denial raised tension across the region.
The Niger Delta Avengers have proven disastrous for the local economy, with their sabotage of oil facilities since February cutting Nigeria's oil earnings by more than 60 percent, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
Abuja has repeatedly said it was willing to engage in dialogue with the militants while urging them to stop the bombings of gas pipelines.
