Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) and former President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari has dissociated himself from the call by some ex-militants for the sack of Special Adviser to the President in the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku.
Asari, who still in Saudi Arabia where he had joined other Muslims faithful to perform this year’s hajj, warned that people should not drag his name into what doesn’t concern him for their pecuniary interests.
Asari, who spoke in the telephone conference calls with some journalists in Abuja said that he has no reason to call for the removal of Kuku since he (Asari) does not believe or partake in the federal government amnesty programme for militants from the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
“It has come to my notice that some people are dragging me name into publication were some persons called for the removal of Special Adviser to the President in the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku.
“I have no business whatsoever with who is paid as a militant or not. I cannot criticize Kingsley Kuku base on payment of militants since my position on amnesty for militants is very clear. I don’t believe that a set of people should be singled out to be paid when the struggle is for the collective interest of the people of Niger Delta. And that has been my main reason for the criticism of the amnesty programme for militants.”
Speaking on his relationship with Kuku, Asari said: “He (Kuku) is a brother and a friend. As an elected lawmaker in the Ondo State House of Assembly, he stood by me in my period of crisis. We have come a long way, it is my time to encourage and stand by him as one of the bright stars of the our struggle in government today. At no time have I called for his removal and their is no basis for me to do so since I am not part of the amnesty programme.”
