Storm Gathers As Ex-Niger Delta Warlords Task Tinubu On Economic Hardship

As economic hardship escalates in the country, some famous ex-Niger Delta warlords in the country convened a high-level stakeholders meeting to discuss how to alleviate Nigeria’s current economic misery, notably in the Niger Delta.

The conference, which followed an earlier meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was convened on Thursday at Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube’s residence in Agadagba Obon, Arogbo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area, Ondo State.

Addressing reporters following the closed-door meeting on behalf of the ex-Niger Delta warlords, Chief (Gen.) Ben Ebikabowei nicknamed Boyloaf revealed that the main topic of discussion was how to alleviate the economic hardship experienced by the people of the Niger Delta region.

He stated that at the discussion, they agreed that the Federal Government should work on increasing the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in all exports.

The ex-Niger Delta warlords have entrusted the Federal Government with ensuring that it reaches the quota set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to close the large imbalance in the export-to-import ratio.

Blaming politicians for destroying the economy, stakeholders maintained that the country had no reason to suffer in the face of abundant natural resources if they were properly explored and managed.

They also advised that it was high time states began to control and manage their natural resources.

Chief Ebikabowei said: “We are gathered here today because of the economic situation of the country and the way forward. The issue of our economy is important to us. There’s a need for the Federal Government to work on how to increase our Gross Domestic Production (GDP).

“We have put heads together to ensure that things go on smoothly. We are concerned most importantly about the Niger Delta region irrespective of politicians’ moves to sabotage the economy.

“As you know this region produces what feeds this country,  we must make sure the nation gets it right by fixing the economy quickly before it gets out of hand.

“It’s clear that there is no way we can survive without the increase in our production so that our exports will outshoot our imports.

“We want the Federal Government to allow various states to control and manage the resources so that they will bear the responsibilities of whatever happens in their states.”

Fielding questions from journalists on the shortage in crude oil export as a result of bunkering, Chief Ebikabowei described bunkering as an organised crime.

He said: “The issue of bunkering is stage-managed. There is no bunkering going on. It is an insult to the Niger Delta that we are doing bunkering and shortening the production of the crude oil.