The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has made public the institution of a negotiation team, Aaron Team 2 to dialogue with the Federal Government on the future of the Niger Delta region.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo on Sunday, the group explained that the formation of the team was based on useful discussions held with top-flying members of the government in power.

Members of the team include Henry Odein Ajumogobia SAN (Rivers); Bismark Rewane (Delta); Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa (Cross River); Timipa Jenkins Okponipere (Bayelsa); Ibanga Isine (Akwa Ibom); Ledum Mitee (Rivers); and Lawson Omokhodion (Edo State).

MEND also advised the rampaging Niger Delta Avengers to bury its sword even as the group recalled that it had in a decade of its existence, taken arms up against the government in a bid to draw attention to the situation in the Niger Delta.

However, on May 30, 2014, the group declared an end to its hostilities following a powerful Democracy Day speech by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The statement reads, “Our message to the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) is simple: The Niger Delta struggle is beyond attacks on oil installations.”

“Indeed, prior to the MEND ceasefire; the group had, among numerous daring attacks, on Thursday, June 19, 2008, successfully carried out the spectacular attack on Royal Dutch Shell’s offshore Bonga oilfield which is located at a whooping distance of 120 kilometres (75miles) south-west of the Niger Delta.”

The group noted however, that after the successful completion of each mission, the problems of the region still remained gaping and it was therefore important to explore other options.

“If indeed your cause is to avenge the injustice done to the Niger Delta region; then, we urge you to ceasefire and join us to the table of negotiation with the Federal Government; otherwise, the Niger Delta struggle shall be hijacked, once again, by selfish interests for their own personal aggrandizement,” MEND told the NDA.

“One such example is the recent purported NDA demand made through the region’s governors that the Federal Government should drop charges of corruption against certain individuals and politicians from the region. This absurd and ridiculous demand, to say the least, is far removed from the Niger Delta struggle.”

Adebayo Emuleomo