Former Niger Delta freedom fighter Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has issued a stark warning to organizers of the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship scheduled for August 1, advising them not to venture into the Niger Delta region.
Dokubo-Asari contended that the protest’s agenda fails to address the specific issues faced by the Niger Delta people. He challenged the protesters to come to the oil-rich region, asserting that they would face strong resistance. He accused the protestors of being driven solely by the desire to exploit the region’s resources, labeling them as anarchists.
At the Niger Delta Sensitization Conference for Ethnic Nationalities, Youths, and Women in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Dokubo-Asari expressed his disapproval of the protest, questioning whether the protestors’ demands include any concerns pertinent to the Niger Delta. He argued that these demands are not aimed at improving conditions in the region but rather at accessing its resources.
He said, “I, along with those who share my views and are committed to the Niger Delta’s interests, will not support this protest. It is clear that our rights and needs are not part of their demands.”
Dokubo-Asari criticized the protestors for using tactics similar to those employed against former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is from the Niger Delta, and now targeting President Bola Tinubu, another Southerner. He urged the public to be wary of misleading rhetoric.
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Referring to the #EndSARS protests, he warned against being deceived by grandiose statements and questioned the effectiveness of the protestors’ efforts in addressing community needs. He emphasized that the region’s issues, such as the lack of hospitals in areas like Buguma and Abonema, have persisted for decades, and he finds it unreasonable to hold President Tinubu accountable for these longstanding problems.
Dokubo-Asari further stated, “If you persist in bringing protests here, know that I will not hesitate to take action. The protest does not concern us, and any attempt to bring it to the Niger Delta will be met with resistance.”
He underscored his stance by declaring, “I am not doing this because of personal allegiance to President Tinubu. I am taking this stand to protect the safety and well-being of myself, my family, and my community.”
He concluded by advising those who have lost elections to prepare for the next electoral cycle rather than resorting to disruptive protests.
