Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / New
Stats: 3,143,164 members, 7,780,156 topics. Date: Thursday, 28 March 2024 at 10:18 AM

Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove (5560 Views)

President Jonathan & Patience At Jomo Kenyatta Airport / Gbomo Jomo (Henry Okah's Brother) Is Arrested? / Does Jomo Gbomo Really Exist? (2) (3) (4)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (Reply) (Go Down)

Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Beaf: 3:33am On Jul 18, 2009
Saturday Sun
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/july/18/national-18-07-2009-02.htm


Mr. Henry Okah was released on Monday, in line with the amnesty deal of the Federal Government. How does MEND see this gesture?
As stated in our statement to that effect, we are happy that an innocent man has been set free. It can be miserable being jailed or killed on trumped-up charges.   
   
Was Okah really innocent of the gunrunning allegation?
He is innocent of the trumped-up charges but guilty of speaking the truth against injustice.
   
Why would Okah accept conditions for amnesty? This can be taken as a sign of cowardice. How do you react to this?
He was innocent and had been locked in a room with no radio, TV, books, nothing just bare for over a year. Besides, he only accepted to sign off when he was told there are no conditions to the release. Why play a hero when you are more useful as a free man?
   
Do you trust the government on this amnesty?
Not at all. We do not.
   
Whenever the government grants amnesty and strikes deal with Niger Delta groups the struggle for the due of region comes down. This happened when Asari Dokubo was released. Would MEND also be cowed? If not, why?
When a person or group has a focus and remains focused it is not possible to deviate. MEND is focused even though we may be flexible.
   
MEND has continued to bomb oil installations, even as the talk of amnesty is going on. Why is this?
We did that to maintain the pressure because the government responds only when they are flogged like cattle.
   
What is MEND’s gain in bombing oil installations?
It exerts pressure on a stubborn leadership from all sides.
   
MEND bombed oil facility in Lagos on Monday. Why was this and what point is your group trying to make?
The attack on the Atlas Cove was symbolic and not strategic.
   
What would make MEND to stop armed struggle or its agitation?
When justice is given to the region such as fiscal federalism.
   
The Joint Military Task Force recently bombarded camps of militant groups in Niger Delta. Militants never responded. You were overwhelmed?
We are not fighting a war of confrontation but a war of detachment. When they attack we withdraw but return in a guerrilla fashion to cause them pain.
   
Bombing and military attacks are a situation of war. Does MEND see its struggle as a war and why?
We use force because the Nigerian government decided to use force in oppressing any type of agitation.
   
The civil war fought in 1966-1970 started as the current Niger Delta struggle before the Igbo declared a state of Biafra. Is there anything that would make MEND declare a republic?
Not at all because we want to also benefit from the resources and potentials that can be found in other parts of Nigeria. We believe in one just Nigeria that practises true federalism and reflects federal character.
   
Some people say that the Igbo foresaw what is happening in Niger Delta as far back as 1966 and, therefore, pulled out of Nigeria but were sabotaged partly by Niger Delta people, who believed in Nigeria then. How do you react to this? Do you have any regret that the civil war ended in Nigeria’s favour?
The Igbo of post-independence Nigeria were arrogant and proud. They did not carry along the other tribes with them when choosing the name of the new republic, the lingua franca of the new state and the boundaries. That is why they did not get our support at that time. We would have suffered the same fate in Biafra. If at that time they cornered most of the federal scholarships for their tribes men then what else could one have expected. The lessons of the past and present is for all Nigerians to learn from.
   
If a Niger Delta man or woman become president of Nigeria, would this stop the agitation of MEND and other groups?
Is Goodluck not a Vice President? Yet nothing has changed. When people get into positions, the key beneficiaries are their immediate families and some few friends and that is why we are not excited about one’s tribesman in any position.
   
How would MEND assess the current leaders in Niger Delta, especially the governors?
Most of them, like the President, got there by electoral fraud. They are the real criminals a revolution should consume.
   
Now that you have attached Lagos, it could be taken that you could attack Abuja?
That may not be necessary because we know where to turn off the switch that controls the life support that has been sustaining Abuja.
   
How armed is MEND and does the group have the capacity to fight a full-blown war?
Just as David relied on five pebbles to defeat Goliath, we have some basic tools that are very effective to fight against a conventional army.
   
United States President Barack Obama visited Ghana recently and shunned Nigeria. How would MEND react to this?
We already did in our statement announcing the Atlas Cove attack.
   
Which option would MEND prefer between true federation and break-up of Nigeria?
True federalism.
   
If Okah starts talking about peace now when the problem of Niger Delta has not been solved, what would be the reaction of MEND members?
He is already talking temporary ceasefire which we may consider to prove we are not war mongers. But we remain on alert to finish off what we have started if there is no progress with the talks.
   
What would convince Nigerians that the Federal Government has not bribed Okah?
Time will tell.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Ibime(m): 8:35am On Jul 18, 2009
Post approved as Seun would say!  grin


I have highlighted the most salient points. . .



Beaf:

MEND bombed oil facility in Lagos on Monday. Why was this and what point is your group trying to make?
The attack on the Atlas Cove was symbolic and not strategic.
   
   
The Joint Military Task Force recently bombarded camps of militant groups in Niger Delta. Militants never responded. You were overwhelmed?
We are not fighting a war of confrontation but a war of detachment. When they attack we withdraw but return in a guerrilla fashion to cause them pain.
   
Bombing and military attacks are a situation of war. Does MEND see its struggle as a war and why?
We use force because the Nigerian government decided to use force in oppressing any type of agitation.
   
The civil war fought in 1966-1970 started as the current Niger Delta struggle before the Igbo declared a state of Biafra. Is there anything that would make MEND declare a republic?
Not at all because we want to also benefit from the resources and potentials that can be found in other parts of Nigeria. We believe in one just Nigeria that practises true federalism and reflects federal character.
       
If a Niger Delta man or woman become president of Nigeria, would this stop the agitation of MEND and other groups?
Is Goodluck not a Vice President? Yet nothing has changed. When people get into positions, the key beneficiaries are their immediate families and some few friends and that is why we are not excited about one’s tribesman in any position.
   
How would MEND assess the current leaders in Niger Delta, especially the governors?
Most of them, like the President, got there by electoral fraud. They are the real criminals a revolution should consume.

   
Now that you have attached Lagos, it could be taken that you could attack Abuja?
That may not be necessary because we know where to turn off the switch that controls the life support that has been sustaining Abuja.
   
How armed is MEND and does the group have the capacity to fight a full-blown war?
Just as David relied on five pebbles to defeat Goliath, we have some basic tools that are very effective to fight against a conventional army.


Which option would MEND prefer between true federation and break-up of Nigeria?
True federalism.
   
If Okah starts talking about peace now when the problem of Niger Delta has not been solved, what would be the reaction of MEND members?
He is already talking temporary ceasefire which we may consider to prove we are not war mongers. But we remain on alert to finish off what we have started if there is no progress with the talks.
   
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by NegroNtns(m): 8:44am On Jul 18, 2009
Jomo Gbomo spoke eloquently. I like the aspirations and I sincerely believe they can succeed with a few adjustments . . .political tweaking so to speak.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Afam(m): 9:44am On Jul 18, 2009
Beaf:

The Igbo of post-independence Nigeria were arrogant and proud. They did not carry along the other tribes with them when choosing the name of the new republic, the lingua franca of the new state and the boundaries. That is why they did not get our support at that time. We would have suffered the same fate in Biafra. If at that time they cornered most of the federal scholarships for their tribes men then what else could one have expected. The lessons of the past and present is for all Nigerians to learn from.

The Igbos were arrogant and proud? Sounds more like envy and jealousy here. Saro Wiwa benefited from scholarships, it was alleged that an Ijaw name suggested the name Biafra and Gen Effiong who was Ojukwu's second in command was not an Igbo man.

I guess he expects an Igbo man who got an education to act and behave like an uneducated person and expects an Igbo man that worked hard to make money in business to trek to anywhere he wants to instead of buying a car because some people will feel and think that he is proud and arrogant.

It is this type of envy and jealousy that inhibits one to achieve his potential in life.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by deor03(m): 10:54am On Jul 18, 2009
This is some hard truth,

In as much as I do not support the arms struggle, I am beginning to understand that that is what the political class understands.

They need to feel unsecured even in the highly fortified enclaves .

This is a silent revolution, that if properly channelled will make politicians think twice before contesting for elective posts
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by SkyBlue1: 11:17am On Jul 18, 2009
deor03:

This is some hard truth,

In as much as I do not support the arms struggle, I am beginning to understand that that is what the political class understands.

They need to feel unsecured even in the highly fortified enclaves .

This is a silent revolution, that if properly channelled will make politicians think twice before contesting for elective posts

Sure there are injustices to be considered, who would argue that? Valid points are raised and though the MEND spokesperson is saying what we all know, the issue for me has rarely been about the existence or non existence of Nigerian injustice to its citizens, the issue has been the credibility of MEND. For me they still have a lot to answer for. The simple truth is that Port Harcourt has been unsafe for quite a while now as a result of the insecurity created by MEND. Such insecurity has chased away investors that hire people in that region and as a result sent people into poverty. The insecurity also incubated a breeding ground for an explosion of vices such as kidnapping which has reached an unbearable level that has made living in the region the so called freedom fighters are fighting for that much tougher.

When businesses and investors are fleeing the region, who is losing out?
When a curfew that greatly hampered business activities in Port Harcourt was imposed who was losing?

I keep on asking when MEND will attack Abuja and by so doing, really shake up the federal goverment and show that they mean business, while potentially quickening the progress being sought in terms of correcting some of the injustices. The spokesperson said there wouldn't even be a need to attack abuja because they know where the right "switch" that sustains abuja is, why haven't they "turned off the switch" since?  Terrorising your people while hiding in the creeks and making money of oil bunkering is far from the robin hood and freedom fighter image I am supposed to swallow. People are suffering and it is not the federal government, it is ordinary Nigerians. MEND, what do you have to say about that and have you forgotten the road to Abuja?
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Beaf: 11:30am On Jul 18, 2009
Sky Blue:

Sure there are injustices to be considered, who would argue that? Valid points are raised and though the MEND spokesperson is saying what we all know, the issue for me has rarely been about the existence or non existence of Nigerian injustice to its citizens, the issue has been the credibility of MEND. For me they still have a lot to answer for. The simple truth is that Port Harcourt has been unsafe for quite a while now as a result of the insecurity created by MEND. Such insecurity has chased away investors that hire people in that region and as a result sent people into poverty. The insecurity also incubated a breeding ground for an explosion of vices such as kidnapping which has reached an unbearable level that has made living in the region the so called freedom fighters are fighting for that much tougher.

When businesses and investors are fleeing the region, who is losing out?
When a curfew that greatly hampered business activities in Port Harcourt was imposed who was losing?

I keep on asking when MEND will attack Abuja and by so doing, really shake up the federal goverment and show that they mean business, while potentially quickening the progress being sought in terms of correcting some of the injustices. The spokesperson said there wouldn't even be a need to attack abuja because they know where the right "switch" that sustains abuja is, why haven't they "turned off the switch" since?  Terrorising your people while hiding in the creeks and making money of oil bunkering is far from the robin hood and freedom fighter image I am supposed to swallow. People are suffering and it is not the federal government, it is ordinary Nigerians. MEND, what do you have to say about that and have you forgotten the road to Abuja?

One of MENDs stated aims is to cripple the Nigerian economy, because they believe that having nothing to divide is the only thing that will bring politicians to the table.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by SkyBlue1: 11:43am On Jul 18, 2009
Beaf:

One of MENDs stated aims is to cripple the Nigerian economy, because they believe that having nothing to divide is the only thing that will bring politicians to the table.

By crippling the economy and putting Nigeria into an even deeper recession than it has been all this while? Who would end up suffering as a result, the Federal government or ordinary Nigerians who would be facing an even higher rate of unemployment (as if that were possible) and an even more seemingly hopeless future? This is what I have been talking about with regards to MEND and their credibility. The insecurity and torment that is being inflicted on ordinary Nigerians is wasted on them, the insecurity should be inflicted on those holding Nigeria to ransom, the federal government, certain groups in the legislature that have been twiddling their thumbs instead of passing progreesive laws, etc.

Trying to cripple the economy is a silly plan because it affects EVERYBODY, it can't be helped that whatever money Nigeria obtains goes to the federal government. Sacrificing the future of poor Nigerians struggling to eke out a living in order to get to the federal government can be likened to burning a whole house in order to heat a kettle of water in the kitchen. The only effect such a tactic would inflict on those in power is pretty much along the lines of no money to buy a ferrari hence having to settle for a lexus instead, while people on the streets would be dying. Again, MEND, have you forgotten the way to Abuja? This is ludacris.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Beaf: 12:07pm On Jul 18, 2009
Sky Blue:

By crippling the economy and putting Nigeria into an even deeper recession than it has been all this while? Who would end up suffering as a result, the Federal government or ordinary Nigerians who would be facing an even higher rate of unemployment (as if that were possible) and an even more seemingly hopeless future? This is what I have been talking about with regards to MEND and their credibility. The insecurity and torment that is being inflicted on ordinary Nigerians is wasted on them, the insecurity should be inflicted on those holding Nigeria to ransom, the federal government, certain groups in the legislature that have been twiddling their thumbs instead of passing progreesive laws, etc.

Trying to cripple the economy is a silly plan because it affects EVERYBODY, it can't be helped that whatever money Nigeria obtains goes to the federal government. Sacrificing the future of poor Nigerians struggling to eke out a living in order to get to the federal government can be likened to burning a whole house in order to heat a kettle of water in the kitchen. The only effect such a tactic would inflict on those in power is pretty much along the lines of no money to buy a ferrari hence having to settle for a lexus instead, while people on the streets would be dying. Again, MEND, have you forgotten the way to Abuja? This is ludacris.

I beg to disagree.
In a federal system, all monies don't go to the federal govt.

Military rule and its need of a rigid top down command structure have led to the bastardisation of the federal system. What the country currently runs is closer to a unitary system (best suited to tyranny's and dictatorships) than a federal system (best suited to a democracy).
Govt structures are warped in Nigeria with the federal govt responsible for everything, down to local fire services (where they exist).
The joy of the present system to the politicians is that accountability for local issues can be buried deep in formidable paperwork at federal level (where local issues become something very abstract).
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Nobody: 12:50pm On Jul 18, 2009
The Igbos were arrogant and proud? Sounds more like envy and jealousy here. Saro Wiwa benefited from scholarships, it was alleged that an Ijaw name suggested the name Biafra and Gen Effiong who was Ojukwu's second in command was not an Igbo man.

I guess he expects an Igbo man who got an education to act and behave like an uneducated person and expects an Igbo man that worked hard to make money in business to trek to anywhere he wants to instead of buying a car because some people will feel and think that he is proud and arrogant.

It is this type of envy and jealousy that inhibits one to achieve his potential in life.

dude that was no jealous remark but the plain old truth that led to biafra not getting the support of the niger delta on your allegations concerning the name of biafra coming from an ijaw thats just rubbish, Gen phillip was never involved in the schemes of things when it came to biafra his been made second in command was just to fill a post and make it look as if the biafran cause was also the niger delta cause and for achieving your potentials in life, hmmmm biafra is still in the doldrums, i guess thats one hell of a potential achievement.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by simeipiri: 1:37pm On Jul 18, 2009
Sky Blue:

By crippling the economy and putting Nigeria into an even deeper recession than it has been all this while? Who would end up suffering as a result, the Federal government or ordinary Nigerians who would be facing an even higher rate of unemployment (as if that were possible) and an even more seemingly hopeless future? This is what I have been talking about with regards to MEND and their credibility. The insecurity and torment that is being inflicted on ordinary Nigerians is wasted on them, the insecurity should be inflicted on those holding Nigeria to ransom, the federal government, certain groups in the legislature that have been twiddling their thumbs instead of passing progreesive laws, etc.

Trying to cripple the economy is a silly plan because it affects EVERYBODY, it can't be helped that whatever money Nigeria obtains goes to the federal government. Sacrificing the future of poor Nigerians struggling to eke out a living in order to get to the federal government can be likened to burning a whole house in order to heat a kettle of water in the kitchen. The only effect such a tactic would inflict on those in power is pretty much along the lines of no money to buy a ferrari hence having to settle for a lexus instead, while people on the streets would be dying. Again, MEND, have you forgotten the way to Abuja? This is ludacris.

Skyblue,

You made some points here. I have always tried to avoid talking about these issues because i'm on Nairaland to do business but let me pass a word or two about this issue
If you listened to the speech by the ex-president of Ghana, he made it clear that the our leader should be accountable to us and we Nigerians haven't made them accountable to us. WHY, i would tell you the little i know
- The average Nigerian wants to go ahead with his business not minding what the government is doing
- The average Nigerian believes that someday he/she would have someone in the corridor of power be it ward councellor or President

The simple truth we don't want to change the system and that goes for majority of Nigerians.

If you want to stop corruptions its very simple, use the chinese system of capital punishment and i bet you Nigeria would be the least corrupt country in the world

Well my point, if everyone is suffering the brunt of this struggle it's becasue we all deserve it one way or the other

I don't support violence but if anyone wants to talk about criminals, they are no better ones than those in Power.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE ABOUT IT
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Bialegend(m): 1:45pm On Jul 18, 2009
babasoty:

dude that was no jealous remark but the plain old truth that led to biafra not getting the support of the niger delta on your allegations concerning the name of biafra coming from an ijaw thats just rubbish, Gen phillip was never involved in the schemes of things when it came to biafra his been made second in command was just to fill a post and make it look as if the biafran cause was also the niger delta cause and for achieving your potentials in life, hmmmm biafra is still in the doldrums, i guess thats one hell of a potential achievement.
It is only the lazy people that always term hardworking people as arrogant. Remember the lazy world (arabs/muslims) often refer to Americans as arrogant. Yes, if being hardworking and money making oriented should be termed as arrogant, sorry, let us Igbos be such arrogant for life. It pays.
Ewu nigerian Igbo hater, stop being lazy as it's your trade mark and google and read to "comprend" simple history. An Ijawman named Frank Opugo was the person that suggested the name Biafra and it was unanimously adopted by the Eastern Nigeria house of assembly as the name for the new nation BAIFRA.
Yeah, haters like you and your lazy ilk after being served your humble pie about a none Igbo being the second in command in Biafra will resort to argue that Gen. Philip Effiong did not command any power as an alternate means to continue your insinuations. We have seen how Jonathan Goodluck is wielding enormous power in your paradise nigeria.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Nobody: 1:58pm On Jul 18, 2009
No citizen has the right to take the law into his/her hand.
Possession of guns and explosives by civillians in Nigeria is against the law.
All MEND members need to be prosecuted and sent to jail.
Innocent citizens died during the recent bombing.
This is murder. The punishment for murder in Nigeria is death by firing squad and MEND members should be prosecuted.

If MEND wants development why can't they use the billions of naira they recieve from their "sponsors" to develop the community.
I mean why would you rather spend 100 billion naira to buy explosives in order to bomb facilities when you can turn around and invest the money in the Niger Delta??
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by SkyBlue1: 1:58pm On Jul 18, 2009
Beaf:

I beg to disagree.
In a federal system, all monies don't go to the federal govt.

Military rule and its need of a rigid top down command structure have led to the bastardisation of the federal system. What the country currently runs is closer to a unitary system (best suited to tyranny's and dictatorships) than a federal system (best suited to a democracy).
Govt structures are warped in Nigeria with the federal govt responsible for everything, down to local fire services (where they exist).
The joy of the present system to the politicians is that accountability for local issues can be buried deep in formidable paperwork at federal level (where local issues become something very abstract).

In a federal system there is no such thing as derivation either, neither is there any such thing as federal character, does that stop such from being practised in Nigeria's brand of federalism? I thought what I was implying was obvious without me needing to beat anybody over the head with it.

simeipiri:

Skyblue,

You made some points here. I have always tried to avoid talking about these issues because i'm on Nairaland to do business but let me pass a word or two about this issue
If you listened to the speech by the ex-president of Ghana, he made it clear that the our leader should be accountable to us and we Nigerians haven't made them accountable to us. WHY, i would tell you the little i know
- The average Nigerian wants to go ahead with his business not minding what the government is doing
- The average Nigerian believes that someday he/she would have someone in the corridor of power be it ward councellor or President

The simple truth we don't want to change the system and that goes for majority of Nigerians.

If you want to stop corruptions its very simple, use the chinese system of capital punishment and i bet you Nigeria would be the least corrupt country in the world

Well my point, if everyone is suffering the brunt of this struggle it's becasue we all deserve it one way or the other

I don't support violence but if anyone wants to talk about criminals, they are no better ones than those in Power.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE ABOUT IT

While the whole "what have we done about it?" angle is completely valid, I have gotten bored of such statements when thrown around the way it was just done because it seems to provide detachment from the issue when people on Nairaland use it. Instead of "we", what have YOU done about it? That hits closer to home and I don't feel the need to justify it. You mentioned the "chinese sytem" of dealing with corruption. Are you willing to draft a bill proposal, send to the house and work to garner support and pursue it? Sounds less abstract than "what have we done" and really puts the ball in your court doesn't it?

Another grouse I have with the whole "what have we done about it?" again when used by Nigerians is that it rarely ever leads to action. Soemone can and very often always shouts the whole "we are to blame" routine and then goes on to do nothing about "IT", for how long will such detachment continue?

The part I highlighted in bold in your statement isn't necessarily a bad thing. I would wish friends and family in Nigeria the opportunity to be able to ignore government and go about their daily business apart from fulfilling the obligations of taxes and obeying the law for such is the ideal situation. However when you have issues like power, water, security, infrastructure, etc that government has focefully imposed itself to "handle" using the people's money without ever handling it therefore making life difficult to just "go ahead with his business", government has to be called to order. How?

Some suggestions:

people rally together and get in touch with people in the legislature and lobby for the propositions and passing of progressive laws (e.g. FOI)  and remove the ones holding the country backwards (derivation, federal character, quota system, etc)

when elections come around GO AND VOTE and protect your vote

If you think a candidate is worth voting for, argue your points out and make attempts to push for such a candidates tenure, why? So that we can have elections centred more on the issues rather than thesame old trite. I actually took time to listen to a video in which Yar Adua spoke pre election, was not impressed at all and realised no one knew anything about him if not he wouldn't have had the support which we have to admit he had (not saying there was no electoral fraud).

At the end of the day what changing things will require is well taught out plans and strategies towards development in the wider sense of the word, not false and blind bravado, kind of like having zeal without knowledge or wisdom.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by chukz4real(m): 2:02pm On Jul 18, 2009
MEND has been trying to make a point which I wouldn't embrace in a haste. Nigerian problem may be from the "Oil Money" as most people may believe. Is MEND not participating in the oil stealing business themselves?

If I were to be a member of MEND, I would have concentrated on revolution; get all present and past leaders (from Local Govt level to State Govt. and the Federal Govt, not exempting the corrupt ministers and house of assembly  members) executed rather than  kidnapping  innocent Nigerians. Destroying the flow stations, well heads and what-have-you is meaningless to me becuase MEND is only using that to cause more pain to the ordinary people with no effect to the government. Why can't they go to Abuja and get the top political shots kidnapped to set a good example that they are fighting for the cause of the good people of Niger Delta?
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by SkyBlue1: 2:07pm On Jul 18, 2009
A-town:

No citizen has the right to take the law into his/her hand.
Possession of guns and explosives by civillians in Nigeria is against the law.
All MEND members need to be prosecuted and sent to jail.
Innocent citizens died during the recent bombing.
This is murder. The punishment for murder in Nigeria is death by firing squad and MEND members should be prosecuted.

If MEND wants development why can't they use the billions of naira they recieve from their "sponsors" to develop the community.
I mean why would you rather spend 100 billion naira to buy explosives in order to bomb facilities when you can turn around and invest the money in the Niger Delta??


@ the part you highlighted in bold, I am not a fan of MEND but MEND is not government. You expect MEND to build roads, provide power, security, law and order, etc? Meanwhile what is government doing with our money? Isn;t such a route just plain cowardice to face the problem in government on the part of advocates of such?
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Nobody: 2:12pm On Jul 18, 2009
Sky Blue:

@ the part you highlighted in bold, I am not a fan of MEND but MEND is not government. You expect MEND to build roads, provide power, security, law and order, etc? Meanwhile what is government doing with our money? Isn;t such a route just plain cowardice to face the problem in government on the part of advocates of such?

Even a 1st grader knows Mend is not the Govt.
My point is that MEND does not have genuine intentions. (as far as i am concerned)
Only a fool will steal crude oil, sell it for profit and use the money to buy explosives to damage their own land.
Why can't they keep stealing crude oil and use the money to develop their communities since they claim they have been neglected.
They are just typical Nigerian thieves.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by SkyBlue1: 2:20pm On Jul 18, 2009
A-town:

Even a 1st grader knows Mend is not the Govt.
My point is that MEND does not have genuine intentions. (as far as i am concerned)
Only a fool will steal crude oil, sell it for profit and use the money to buy explosives to damage their own land.
Why can't they keep stealing crude oil and use the money to develop their communities since they claim they have been neglected.
They are just typical Nigerian thieves.

Because they are not an NGO or Government or even a "progressive movement" in terms of develolment and are therefore under no obligation to do so. Kind of like expecting an armed robber to steal and use the money to go and build a "motherless babies home". Such expectations though seemingly innocent and coming from a genuine place in my view only shows how cowardly Nigerians have become. So we have to wait for an armed group of people to come save us before we do anythng in that country? How embarassing. Why don't we start groups like "Movement for the Materialisation of Power Supply", "Movement for the Dualisation of Lagos Benin Express", "Movement for the Particulation of Justice", "Movement for the Manifestation of Water Supply", etc? I would have found your point valid and relevant if this was an NGO, or a non violent movement, or something along those lines; but expecting a militant group to fix the woes of the country in what is meant to be a "democratic" setting? Are we fighting communist or a military dictator? Shame!
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Nobody: 2:30pm On Jul 18, 2009
Sky Blue:

Because they are not an NGO or Government or even a "progressive movement" in terms of develolment and are therefore under no obligation to do so. Kind of like expecting an armed robber to steal and use the money to go and build a "motherless babies home". Such expectations though seemingly innocent and coming from a genuine place in my view only shows how cowardly Nigerians have become. So we have to wait for an armed group of people to come save us before we do anythng in that country? How embarassing. Why don't we start groups like "Movement for the Materialisation of Power Supply", "Movement for the Dualisation of Lagos Benin Express", "Movement for the Particulation of Justice", "Movement for the Manifestation of Water Supply", etc? I would have found your point valid and relevant if this was an NGO, or a non violent movement, or something along those lines; but expecting a militant group to fix the woes of the country in what is meant to be a "democratic" setting? Are we fighting communist or a military dictator? Shame!

I see all you want to do is just throw your ideas without reading my comments properly.
I never said i'd rather have MEND do what the federal govt is not doing. The FG's neglect is not news. There are thousands of cities and states in Nigeria that have been neglected. The only reason the Niger delta is an issue is because they have oil and they feel they deserve better treatment.
Now, this is what i said.
If the militants really care for their people and environment, they will stop using illicit funds to buy explosives. They can use the money to develop their communities since the "FG" aint doing shit right? Why not harness this funds into sending more of your kinsmen to school so they can get an education and help the community. Do you no the preference given to Niger deltans when it comes to employment in Oil companies? Yet they barely have indigenes studying engineering. Their case is similar to the case of African Americans and Affirmative Action.

Only a fool will spend billions on explosives when their kinsmen are dying.
Their sponsors sit down there and make money while they blow up things and die for nothing.
The sponsors know that they will get contracts to fix the pipelines and infrastructure when mend blows it up so they'll definitely get a 100% return on their investment.
I repeat, MEND = bunch of ignorant Nigerian thieves
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by SkyBlue1: 2:45pm On Jul 18, 2009
A-town:

I see all you want to do is just throw your ideas without reading my comments properly.
I never said i'd rather have MEND do what the federal govt is not doing. The FG's neglect is not news. There are thousands of cities and states in Nigeria that have been neglected. The only reason the Niger delta is an issue is because they have oil and they feel they deserve better treatment.
Now, this is what i said.
If the militants really care for their people and environment, they will stop using illicit funds to buy explosives. They can use the money to develop their communities since the "FG" aint doing shit right? Why not harness this funds into sending more of your kinsmen to school so they can get an education and help the community. Do you no the preference given to Niger deltans when it comes to employment in Oil companies? Yet they barely have indigenes studying engineering. Their case is similar to the case of African Americans and Affirmative Action.

Only a fool will spend billions on explosives when their kinsmen are dying.
Their sponsors sit down there and make money while they blow up things and die for nothing.
The sponsors know that they will get contracts to fix the pipelines and infrastructure when mend blows it up so they'll definitely get a 100% return on their investment.
I repeat, MEND = bunch of ignorant Nigerian thieves


If I am to go by your previous posts and insinuations (which I did) and even if I am to consider this new post I have to say, there are still a lot of holes in the roof. So how much oil bunkering would have to be done to allow MEND (a militant group) develop the whole region? Is such in anyway remotely close to solving the problem of a non existent federal structure that gives states autonomy and opportunity to develop the way they see fit? Isn't oil bunkering a criminal activity? The fact that MEND has no credibility in my eyes and the fact that I view their attacks as misguided and directed at ordinary people to a significant extent does not mean I don't think there is anything to be fixed.

My grouse with your take is you advocating asking why a militant group are not doing more to develop their community using funds obtained through illegal oil bunkering while ordinary citizens continue to sit down and look while existing in a system that is fundamentally flawed. Have you got any stats to show that people from the Niger Delta don't study Engineering en masse? I happen to know that the governments of some states like Rivers already send a good number of students abroad to study via state sponsored scholarships. I happen to know a good proportion of such students go to study Engineering and other related degreees. Also, there are already a lot of graduates in Engineering in the region in question. Such does not solve the issue and is tatamount to eating scraps from the table. The system is flawed and needs to be addressed.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Obeledu: 2:51pm On Jul 18, 2009
A-town:

Even a 1st grader knows Mend is not the Govt.
My point is that MEND does not have genuine intentions. (as far as i am concerned)
Only a fool will steal crude oil, sell it for profit and use the money to buy explosives to damage their own land.
Why can't they keep stealing crude oil and use the money to develop their communities since they claim they have been neglected.
They are just typical Nigerian thieves.

I agree with you, because you have to win people sympathy. Look at organization like Hamas, Hezebola and Taliban that are branded as terrorist oganization, they people still support them, because of the some social work they attached to their strugle.

If MEND can invest some of the money they made from stolen crude in some of their wards or even local government, i bet you they will win peoples support, not this mindles destruction of environment.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by SkyBlue1: 3:00pm On Jul 18, 2009
cheesy @Obeledu Nigeria and Afghanistan are apples and oranges in so many respects. Yes the taliban might build a school or two which they are under no obligation to do, they also try to impose sharia wherever they take their brand of "freedom" to, they don't have to commit illegal acts in order to get funding to carry out whatever illegalities they are involved in instead they apparently get "funding" from other sovereign nations and I am yet to here of a taliban "poppy cartel". See? Different on many levels. Hamas although despised by many in the west have huge support and following in that part of the world and were/are still regarded by many as a political group/party, MEND isn't and doesn't enjoy such support. It can be argued that Hamas is fighting for control of the region, as in, to become the leaders of the region they are associated with, MEND are supposedly fighting for the manifestation of an idealogy. Does that mean there is no cause to be fought? I am not making such claims.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Becomrich: 3:05pm On Jul 18, 2009
have you ever seen the picture of Jomo Gbomo before. can someone post it online.   That newspaper is own by an igbo man who know the igbo would benefit from lagos attack.   and can tell you this the yorubas would not stop supporting the ijaws. we believe nobody should be cheated. even chief obafemi awolowo was know for defending several ijaws men.


Tom polo claim the ijaws did not do it. I mean him. Look there is no reason for the ijaws to bomb thier bological blood brothers. No reason. the ijaws do not gain anything from sure bombing. Tompolo have not denied an attack before. While Jomo Gbomo is a faceless person. where is the pictures. The attack was meant to destroy the support the yorubas have for the ijaws. it is all about politics some people are playing politics.


Sun should produce the picture of Jomo Gbomo if thier are not telling a lie.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Morizo(m): 4:11pm On Jul 18, 2009
There are so many twist and turns in any deological struggle, be it arms struggle or intellectual militancy. It is essential that people should air their diverse opinions on issues, especially issues like this. I am not a supporter of MEND, but i think someone should tell the federal govt some basic truths in a language they would understand, which unfortunately at the moment is VIOLENCE! In a system where all pressure groups are govt stooges or political strings, i think MEND in my view, represent a pressure front of a sort that is influencing govt decisions and policies. You cannot help but admire the way Soyinka speaks fearlessly on national issues. how many presuure groups muster the courage to speak like him? Do we remember the recent past of Oshiomole's labour vs OBJ's govt? The Na'Abba's led legislators and their epic battle with the federal govt? what we have now is a one sided affair. I think the pressure should continue, i would only warn MEND to be more symbolic and strategic next time. I rest my case.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by sley4life(m): 4:45pm On Jul 18, 2009
Beaf:

Some people say that the Igbo foresaw what is happening in Niger Delta as far back as 1966 and, therefore, pulled out of Nigeria but were sabotaged partly by Niger Delta people, who believed in Nigeria then. How do you react to this? Do you have any regret that the civil war ended in Nigeria’s favour?[/b]
The Igbo of post-independence Nigeria were arrogant and proud. They did not carry along the other tribes with them when choosing the name of the new republic, the lingua franca of the new state and the boundaries. That is why they did not get our support at that time. We would have suffered the same fate in Biafra. If at that time they cornered most of the federal scholarships for their tribes men then what else could one have expected. The lessons of the past and present is for all Nigerians to learn from.

Now that you have attached Lagos, it could be taken that you could attack Abuja?
That may not be necessary because we know where to turn off the switch that controls the life support that has been sustaining Abuja.

How armed is MEND and does the group have the capacity to fight a full-blown war?
Just as David relied on five pebbles to defeat Goliath, we have some basic tools that are very effective to fight against a conventional army.

United States President Barack Obama visited Ghana recently and shunned Nigeria. How would MEND react to this?
We already did in our statement announcing the Atlas Cove attack.
-The Igbo's took the niger delta along during the civil war but some bad element didnt allow it work.
-The militant means business as they have rightly informed us they can take down the nigeria military down with the weapons
- They answered Yaradua by bombing of the Atlas Cove as a reason why Obama didnt come to nigeria. Its now time for the federal govt to sit up.
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by dreamara(f): 5:04pm On Jul 18, 2009
for all u people beefing Igbo Man, continue and die in your beef. Every body in Nigeria knows(although they will never admit it)that without Igbo man in this country,most people would have died of kwashiokor and Sahara desert will have more news coverage than Nigeria. She when we say make we comot for una country go start our own, una no gree, una go bring the whole world come fight tooth and nail make we stay. Now, almost 50 years later, una still dey call IOgbo man. how Igbo people concern Niger Delta now? The people of dat region are fighting for their own right, which no concern Igbo people and una dey say na Igbo man dey instigate them. No be Niger Delta dey grant amnesty? When Uwazurike wanted to move his own emaniciptation forward, where did he land within twenty-four hours?JAIL!for a whole six months and more nobody talked about amnesty for that poor man. and now people are calling Igbo people again, igbos who are minding their business since Nigeria dosen't want to give them presidency;going to school and coming out of Harvard(Charles Soludo), being worldwide known authors(Chimamanda Adije),becoming World Bank directors(Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala). wetin we do una again?
Please every other tribe in Nigeria should like this historic and well-achieved tribe alone!I'm sick of hearing accusations being thrown at them at every chance!
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Nobody: 5:20pm On Jul 18, 2009
@becomrich:
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Nobody: 5:21pm On Jul 18, 2009
@becomrich:
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by Nobody: 5:22pm On Jul 18, 2009
@becomrich:
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by drossy(m): 6:07pm On Jul 18, 2009
i cannot understand why every political thread goes tribalistic!!!! we complain about the older generation but we cant learn from thier mistakes!!! i hate tribalism, evry tribe has its issues but to generalise poeple is crazy. i hate to say this but, i support MEND to the bone , i hope they drop the tribal remarks though! we cannot judge them on the same scale and not accuse the FG of same crimes. poeple have become so used to FG and its evil that they have suddenly become right and MEND wrong. in as much as killings are not right but they are a means to an end. pple have become so used to the naija way that it has beome the right way!! but somehow, i wish some attacks should go to our niger delta leaders sha, but
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by drossy(m): 6:17pm On Jul 18, 2009
i cannot understand why every political thread goes tribalistic!!!!     we complain about the older generation but we cant learn from their mistakes!!!  i hate tribalism, every tribe has its issues but to generalise people is crazy. i hate to say this but, i support MEND to the bone , i hope they drop the tribal remarks though!  we cannot judge them on the same scale and not accuse the FG of same crimes. people have become so used to FG and its evil that they have suddenly become right and MEND wrong. in as much as killings are not right but they are a means to an end. Pole have become so used to the naija way that it has become the right way!! but somehow, i wish some attacks should go to our niger delta leaders sha, but i remember bringing this argument before chris ekiyor -IYC president, a while ago  as doctors in UBTH.his answer was that when the ijaw community was fighting alams over his embezzlement,the govt protected him to the bone! when the militant leaders swore to destroy him after his tenure ,he became more pro-ijaw agitating for resource control.immediately EFCC went up against him, using the same documents that were submitted previously which the govt threw out!
Re: Mend (Jomo Gbomo) Speaks About Atlas Cove by imranmo(m): 6:23pm On Jul 18, 2009
tribalism is our national pastime! We wont stop, unless pigs fly grin

(1) (2) (3) (4) (Reply)

Obasanjo Is Pdp’s Biggest Mistake- Atiku / Abuja CSOs Staged Peaceful Rally At PHNC HQ Over Increase In Electricity Tarif / The True Beauty Of Lagos In Pictures!!!!

(Go Up)

Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health
religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket

Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 158
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or uploads on Nairaland.