Ex-militants demand swearing in of VP

Source: The Nation Newspaper Published:Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Tompolo

Formaer leaders of Niger Delta militants are demanding that Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan be made acting president immediately.

The repentant militants’ leaders – Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) and Ateke Tom said the Federal Government must respect Section 145 of the Constitution in order not to create a vacuum at the Presidency.

The former warlords hinted of growing youth restiveness in the Niger Delta, which they said had the potential of worsening the already heated polity. They would soon decide on an appropriate line of action, in case of refusal to inaugurate Jonathan as acting president, they said.

They said Nigeria needed a leader at this crucial period, for the amnesty programme to succeed, expressing optimism that Jonathan would act well, but if he fails, he would be held responsible.

Tom, who is the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Front, spoke with reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on behalf of the other ex-militants’ leaders, at the end of a crucial meeting.

The ex-militants wondered why President Umaru Yar’Adua could leave the country over 60 days ago, without authorising his deputy to take over. This, they said, is a clear indication of lack of respect and deliberate undermining of the office of the VP and his person.

They noted that the vacuum created by the President’s refusal to hand over to Jonathan had derailed the implementation of the post-amnesty programme.

The ex-militants leaders said: "Already, there are signs of growing restiveness of the youths in the Niger Delta, who are interpreting the lull in the implementation of the post-amnesty promises as a betrayal on the part of the Federal Government.

"This feeling, we must warn, has the potential to further escalate the already heated polity."

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