Why Asari Dokubo turned against President Jonathan

by Elombah.com

THE Okrika National Youth Movement said, on Friday, that personal issues rather than altruistic national agenda are behind the attacks launched by Mujaheed Dokubo-Asari against President Goodluck Jonathan and his government.Dokubo-Asari had, at a press conference held in Abuja and separate media interviews, criticised

President Jonathan for neglecting the South-South region, adding that a clique had hijacked the president. 

He said that the neglect of the South-South by Jonathan could cost him a second term in office in 2015.

He also claimed that the said clique controlling the president caused the feud between Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. 

But the Okrika Youth Movement in a statement signed by its president, Mr Anthony Amieyefori, and secretary, Comrade Ibiyoma Lloyd, said that the former militant was fighting a selfish battle and that he had decided to voice out having failed to get a renewal of the contract for pipeline security granted him and some former militants. 

The group said: “Asari owns a pipeline security outfit to stem the rising wave of piracy on the Niger Delta waters but failed to work for the objectives for which the contract was given after millions of dollars have been paid to him.“In spite of the shameful failure above, he and those in his category have mounted series of pressures on the presidency, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, as well as the petroleum minister for the renewal of such contracts. 

This is most unfortunate and goes to show that unlike Government Ekpomupolo (Tompolo) whose Oil Facility Surveillance Company is working in the Delta axis to rid the state of oil thieves, Asari’s supposed struggle is about self and self alone.”

The group also linked recent outbursts of the ex-militant to alleged attempts to get one of his favourites appointed as Niger Delta minister, adding that the cold shoulders he had received from the presidency led to the recent outbursts.According to the group, the declarations of Dokubo-Asari were not representative of the views of the people of the Niger Delta, whom the group said were firmly in support of President Jonathan and his policies. 

The group further wrote: “We are convinced that another vital reason for Dokubo-Asari’s attack on President Jonathan is not unconnected with his consistent lobby on behalf of his friend, a presidential aide whom he (Asari) wants appointed as Niger Delta minister. 

“Therefore, we implore all Nigerians to ignore Asari and regard his vituperations as products of a helpless lobbyist, who is acting the script of personal interests and those of his friends who have personalised every opportunity arising from their supposed struggle for the people of the Niger Delta.” 

“In a nutshell, Asari’s comments do not reflect the opinion of the Niger Delta people as he speaks for himself and he is acting the orchestrated script of some unseen over-ambitious persons within the presidency.