Prominent ex-militants from the oil-producing Bayelsa State today announced a plan to contribute three months of their allowances to President Goodluck Jonathan's campaign funds and to purchase the nomination form for the 2016 re-election of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. According to the plan, each of the 6,166 ex-militants from Bayelsa State will pitch in their monthly allowances of N65,000 towards raising N10.5 million in campaign funds for Mr. Dickson and President Jonathan.

They said the funds would go towards procuring an "expression of interest form for the governor and raise campaign posters for Mr. Jonathan ahead of the 2015 presidential elections.

Many of the ex-militants, who belonged to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), had waged a fierce battle against Nigeria's security forces to push their demands for control of the crude oil resources in the area. But following an amnesty program initiated by the regime of former President Umaru Yar'Adua, some of the former militants have become stupendously wealthy even as the vast majority of their erstwhile foot soldiers, who received little or nothing from the amnesty deal, wallow in abject poverty.

The decision by the ex-militants to invest in Mr. Jonathan and Governor Dickson's re-election campaigns, is seen as a deft scheme to remain politically relevant in order to continue feathering their nests. Even so, many aggrieved foot soldiers are seething with rage and awaiting the election time to demand their pound of flesh by unleashing acts of violence in the delta.

One of the disaffected ex-militants told SaharaReporters that the big profiteers from the era of militant resistance were seeking political patronage by investing in President Jonathan's re-election bid. He said the ex-militants wish to persuade Mr. Jonathan to extend the amnesty deal due to lapse in 2015.

The ex-militants stated that the decision to forego three months allowances was their expression of gratitude for what they described as noticeable infrastructural development and sound economic policies at both the state and the federal levels.

The group's chairman, Stephen Ebisintei, and deputy chairman, Salvation Rufus, told newsmen in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, that they reached their decisions at a general meeting today.

The ex-militants described President Jonathan and Governor Dickson as catalysts who have accomplished unprecedented feat and thus deserve re-election.

"There is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2015 and in Creek Haven come 2016," the ex-militants said. They added: "We agreed to contribute our three months allowance to support our father and leader, President Goodluck Jonathan's election, as well buy the expression of interest form for Governor Seriake Dickson for the 2015 guber election in Bayelsa.

"As far as we are concerned, no Nigerian leader has worked like the incumbent President."

They listed transformation in the energy sector, aviation, road rehabilitation, railway, as well as a peaceful political landscape aimed at securing a better Nigeria for posterity as part of the achievements of the Jonathan administration.

The ex-agitators also lauded the developmental strides of the Dickson administration and urged all those angling for the Creek Haven, the Bayelsa State seat of power, to abandon their ambitions.

"It will amount to [an] effort in futility to dislodge the governor due to his unprecedented achievements in less than three years. Those planning to occupy Creek Haven should look elsewhere," said the ex-militants.

They also praised Kingsley Kuku, the special adviser to the President on Niger Delta and coordinator of the presidential amnesty program, for his dedication to the amnesty deal. They said the program had brought about an enduring peace in the Niger Delta.

Source: http://saharareporters.com/2014/09/30/ex-militants-pledge-raise-campaign-funds-jonathan-purchase-governor-dicksons-re-election

Militancy is lucrative ooooo




How many are they dat just 3months would fund these plans


At least I know that a gubernatorial form is about 10 million minus campaign


Well like PEJ said this money u are sharing, there is godu oooooooo

According to the plan, each of the 6,166 ex-militants from Bayelsa State will pitch in their monthly allowances of N65,000 towards raising N10.5 million in campaign funds for Mr. Dickson and President Jonathan.

They said the funds would go towards procuring an "expression of interest form for the governor and raise campaign posters for Mr. Jonathan ahead of the 2015 presidential elections.

Only God knows how much these ex militants are contributing to purchase arms and ammunition to prosecute next year elections. 6166 ex-militants multiplied by N65,000 multiplied by 3 months......
No wonder Asari Dokubo keeps threatening fire and brimstone if Jonathan is not reelected come next year.

People sabi lie sha

Wait a minute, did I see 65k monthly allowance? Chai, God purnish FG for paying those 1diots the same monthly pay of an FG civil servant. Gosh, this is disheartening

I smell trouble frm d north cum anther 4


yrs of slavery

so that when their candidate wins, maybe they'll demand a raise in their allowances. .. maybe 150k per month ....

Militants getting 65k per month, just because they are "reformed" criminals, when an honest hard working nigerian earn far less than that...

Well it can only happen in naija...where criminals are rewarded...SMH