No deference between agitators and criminals in Niger Delta ―Uduaghan

IMMEDIATE past governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has expressed deep worries that there seem to be no more differences between freedom agitators and criminals in the Niger Delta region.

He made this observation on Friday during a chat with a select journalist at his home in Warri, Delta State.

The former governor was reminiscing about his role in engaging militants in the creeks of the Delta as secretary to the state government (SSG) and governor of the state when he made the statement.

According to Uduaghan, “once in a while, there were flashes which I managed and Gov Ifeanyi Okowa also has to manage the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).

“There’s also a criminal part of the crises. Now, there’s no difference between agitation for welfare and well-being of the people and criminality.”

The National Assembly hopeful opined that having practically done all in managing the Niger Delta crisis the efforts of the clergy, security forces, traditional rulers, what should be done next is to consolidate the existing peace with relevant legislation.

He noted that a society without laws and order cannot stand and that every society that has everything revolving around a figure who takes decisions without a recourse to the law cannot stand.

The Delta Beyond Oil advocate enthused that such government that allows arbitrariness is one of man and not of the law.

Uduaghan, who disclosed his intention to run for the Delta South Senatorial district come 2019, averred that he would be at the National Assembly to enact new legislation and remind the people of existing laws that checkmate the excesses of any arm of government as well as criminality in the Niger Delta region.