Buhari not serious to negotiate with militants – IYC

This is coming on the heels of a statement issued by the militant group denying reports of a dialogue between them and the Federal Government.

The IYC also called on Buhari not to deceive Nigerians and the international community about the situation in the Niger Delta.

The IYC spokesman, Eric Omare, described Buhari's statement that the government is negotiating with the Niger Delta Avengers through the oil companies in the Niger Delta as laughable.

Omare said “It is highly ridiculous and laughable for President Buhari to say that his government is negotiating with Niger Delta militants through oil companies and law enforcement agencies during the farewell audience with Mr. Michael Zinner, the outgoing Ambassador to Germany on Thursday, the 21st of July, 2016.

“It is even embarrassing for the President of an independent nation such as Nigeria to say that it is oil companies that are negotiating for peace with Niger Delta agitators which in effect amounts to surrounding the sovereignty of Nigeria to international oil companies.

“The IYC wonder if Nigeria is back to the pre-colonial and independence Royal Niger Company days where international companies govern Nigeria.”

Adding that “The point must be made that the issues at stake are completely beyond the capacity of oil companies to resolve.

“For the umpteenth time, the IYC call on the Aides and Advisers to President Buhari to properly advise him on how to solve the current hostilities in the Niger Delta region and equally display a determination to resolve the problem as his predecessors did.

READ: Presidency says oil companies are negotiating for FG

“Only a sincere and holistic dialogue with the people of the Niger Delta region which is aimed at addressing the remote causes of recurrent militancy can bring permanent peace to the Niger Delta region.

“This can only happen when President Buhari as the political leader of Nigeria come down to the negotiation table.”

The Niger Delta Avengers also warned the Nigerian Navyto stop arresting innocent people and tagging them as militants.