Ex-armed men, once notorious for the long-run militancy in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, are set to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid.
Premium Times, citing a source, reports that the ex-militants are expected to endorse Buhari’s second term bid at a press conference to be addressed by Victor Ebikabowei, also known as General Boyloaf, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, February 13.
The newspaper stated that some of the ex-militants said to backing the endorsement include Boyloaf, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, who is wanted by EFCC over allegations of money laundering; Ateke Tom, now a traditional ruler; Bibrope Ajube, also known as General Shoot-at-Sight; and Farah Dagogo, who is the PDP candidate for the Bonny/Degema federal constituency election.
Boyloaf in a statement reportedly stated that the ex-militant leaders were now cooperating under the aegis of Peace Ambassadors of the Niger Delta, with a view to addressing the challenges facing the region.
“In spite of the tense beginning and moments we have had with the current administration following his defeat of our brother Goodluck Jonathan, we have formed a new partnership for the Niger Delta and have seen a deep-seated commitment to addressing the issues that we in the region are facing, the statement from Boyloaf read.
“We have to give special credit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for painstakingly leading the engagements in the Niger Delta and assuring us of his plans.”
The source told Premium Times that in the Niger Delta, these ex-militants had an influence on affairs in the region.