A coalition, under the aegis of Civil Society Coalition For Mandate Protection (CSC-MAP), launched a global campaign on Tuesday in Lagos against the award of oil pipeline protection contracts to ex-militants as it held a peaceful protest, demanding that the Federal Government end such practices that encourage the proliferation of arms and, therefore, endangered the country’s security.
The protesters moved along the Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as: “Protect integrity of Nigeria: Stop Oil Contracts to Gun Runners.” “Oil protection in Yorubaland is not for gun runners.” “Probe killing of Police in Niger Delta now!” “We want security in Yorubaland.” “President Tinubu: Probe illegal Arms,” “We support Tinubu for Oil reform.” “Crooks can’t protect oil pipelines,” and “Oil protection in Nigeria is not for militants,” among others.
The protesters, led by CSC-MAP Secretary General, Comrade Popoola Ajayi; President, OPC New Era, Rasak Arogundade; and Mallam Abuka Nuru, among others, declared pointedly that the exercise indicated the commencement of a mass campaign that would be staged within and outside the country “to free Nigeria from the scourge of terror to create a free, prosperous, and strong country,” urging the United Nations Security Council, in their 9-point demand, to impress on the Nigerian government to stop the award of pipeline protection contracts to people linked in the past or present to armed insurgency in Nigeria.
Besides, they drew the attention of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to efforts at freeing Nigeria from the scourge of terror, saying that the regional body should impress on the Federal Government to stop the tradition of giving pipeline protection contracts to ex-militants, armed militants, and known terrorists.
The group, while making the demands, said the involvement of ex-militants in oil economic management and distribution was partly responsible for the current fuel scarcity in the country, vowing that it would continue the protest to the Presidency, headquarters of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), and the United Nations Security Council to ensure Nigeria stops such acts.
Addressing newsmen on the peaceful protest at Allen Roundabout, Comrade Popoola, while highlighting the need for development, argued that such was not possible without peace, saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu needed to address arms proliferation in the country, including the Niger Delta region, which produces oil and is adjudged the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.
According to Popoola, who expressed worries that the potential to hold Nigerian ransom is growing, with the prospect of building individuals above the country becoming legendary, security in the Niger Delta was key to stability in the oil industry because whatever happened in the nine states in the region had the potential to affect the entire country.
“This rally is launching a global campaign against terrorism empowerment.
“Today, we have launched the beginning of a mass campaign to free Nigeria from the scourge of terror and create a free, prosperous, and strong country.
“The Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection (CSC-MAP) is networking with local and international organisations to intensify the campaign against the award of contracts to people suspected to be linked with armed insurrection against the Nigerian State
“We have started building a network with groups across the country and in the West Africa sub-region.
“This is the second of such rallies to sensitise Nigerians on the need to immediately stop the award of oil pipeline contracts to people associated with violence
“We are going to have these rallies in Ibadan, Kano, Port-Harcourt, Abuja and at the ECOWAS headquarters. The rallies will be peaceful. It is to defend democracy and create peace and harmony in Nigeria. It is to block a major source of arms proliferation which undermines democratic development and sustainable livelihood in Nigeria,” he said.
“This week, we shall deliver our protest letters to the United Nations Security Council, UNSC, OPEC and ECOWAS,” he added.
Popoola, while observing that international organisations’ rules of engagement were against arms proliferation, disclosed that the body he represents had already sent a petition to OPEC, urging that the OPEC president should, as a matter of fact, insist that member states must henceforth stop the award of oil contracts to armed groups.
The coalition scribe, however, called on President Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, set up a judicial inquiry to probe the proliferation of arms in Niger Delta, saying that he should investigate the possible collusion of NNPC officials “with the deal that has surrendered pipeline protection to suspected criminal elements once associated with armed rebellion against the Nigerian state.”
This was just as he said that the CSC-MAP was not in any way opposed to professional stakeholders engaged in pipeline protection, insisting that the body’s concern was the involvement of people once associated with armed insurrection against the Nigerian state.
“We call for a stakeholder meeting in Nigeria that will bring together civil society and ethnic leaders to address arms proliferation and bring an end to violence and potential armed conflicts in Nigeria,” Popoola demanded.
Also speaking, Mallam Nuru, the coordinator in Northern Nigeria, commended President Tinubu for his reforms in the oil sector and his determination and commitment to democracy, just as he expressed the coalition’s support for the coastal roads being embarked upon by the Federal Government, saying that such would open up the Niger Delta and ensure greater business opportunities.
“We commend the efforts of President Tinubu. We commend his reforms in the oil sector. We commend his determination and his commitment to democracy. We support the coastal roads. It will open up the Niger Delta and ensure greater business opportunities.
“The president has set best practices in his determination to address the poor road network between the Niger Delta and the remaining states of the Federation. As he marks one year in Nigeria, we say that his efforts are commendable,” he stated.
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