Otuaro Sends Message To Militants: Goals Achievable Via Nonviolence

Delta State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro has urged militant groups to eschew violence on oil facilities as resulting crisis could defeat their legitimate cause and disenfranchise Niger Deltans from electing more friendly leaders in 2019 polls. 

BigPen Online recalls that a group of militants under aegis of Niger Delta Creek Warriors had in  December 31, 2018, announced resumption of attacks on oil installations within 7 days beginning with trunk lines at Bonny, Nembe and Forcados in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States respectively.

But speaking to newsmen in Governor’s Office Annex, Warri, Otuaro called on militants to rather show patriotism to their land and people by accepting the challenge of evolving novel and nonviolent strategy in pressing home their clearly legitimate demands.

The Delta State deputy Governor also appealed to the Federal Government to quickly act and take the wind off the sail of militants it perceives in bad light by implementing the demands of the Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF).

“My position on nonviolence strategy is predicated on my belief in the convictions of Martin Luther King, Jr who, from experience, said “to destroy anything, person or property can’t bring us closer to the goal we seek”, Otuaro said, adding: “A nonviolent approach has history of better capacity to garner forces of goodwill to bear on evil for change to a better society”.

Citing successful examples of nonviolent approach, Otuaro said: “For those hold the facts, the Barack Obama of US and Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria Presidency were products of nonviolent resistance and dialogue movements rather than self-defeating violence approaches.

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“We would recall that the famed Ogele (nonviolent protest marches) processions by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), enlightened moderation and constructive engagements with the FG by several other organisations attracted the sympathy and pressure of other Nigerians and the International Community towards the little progress in our aspirations. There is reason to believe that if we are concerted and orchestrated in nonviolent approach, we will achieve our goals”.

Insisting on nonviolence as way forward, Otuaro, who Chairs Delta State Advocacy Committee Against Vandalism of Oil and Gas Facilities, said ‘following militants’ flight after vandalism of oil installations, our communities of defenceless citizens become theatres of military repression with loss of lives, property and humanitarian crises. This is unacceptable”.

The Deputy Governor expressed concerns that “the possible crisis following breaching of oil installations could also affect the 2019 general elections in the area and deprive the people opportunity to choose leadership that will rapidly advance the demand for better society”.