by lduozee Paul, Benin Correspondent
As the 2019 general elections draws closer with heightened campaigns, Niger- Delta Ex- agitators have alleged that some politicians in the region have started stock-piling arms and ammunition they will use to rig the forth coming elections.
The group also warned other ex-agitators not to collect money from politiciansto serve as thugs during the polls. They made the comment in a press releaseissued and signed by the national adviser of the
forum, Comrade Walter Serete and the nationalspokesperson, Comrade Ogidigba God’ s Time.
The leaders said what they need inthe region is peace not bloodshed.
Part of the press release read, ” lnan enlarged meeting of ex- agitatorsleadership forum held in Benin City, a lot of issues were discussed but the top priority ofthe discussion was the issue ofinsecurity. Most politicians were busy using the Xmas festive period as anavenue to smuggle illegal fire arms and ammunition into the region as part of preparationsfor the 2019 general polls.
“We have resolved to carefullytrace the locations, where they are kept, and the politicians behind
this criminal act and after thoroughinformation gathering we will expose them to the whole world. We use thismedium to advice our brothers in the Niger- Delta region especially. the ex- agitators and those who surrenderedtheir arms to the federal government of Nigeria, and have not been captured inthe Amnesty Programme not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs during the forth –coming elections, as thereis still room for them to be absorbed into the scheme.
“We urge Niger Delta politicians and stakeholdersto abide by the rules of the Electoral Act to
ensure hitch free, fair and credibleelection in the region. As we, the ex-agitators leadership forum in the Niger Delta cannot afford or continue to loseour brothers and loved ones during elections as experienced in the previous polls,”they lamented.
Also commenting, the national coordinatorof the group, Comrade Douglas Otokolo said their aim is to make sure there ispeace in the Niger Delta during the elections. He called on the federal government to ensurethere are checking points to curb illegal arms movement into the region.
Comrade Otokolo said they are working with the federal government to ensurethere is peace in the region and stressed that youths should not allow politiciansto use them as thugs warning that any ex- agitators caught will face the law.
