Reject MEND endorsement, group tells Buhari

By Stanley Onyekwere

The National Democratic Front (NDF) has called on the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), in the February 14 elections, to publicly reject his endorsement by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), as the group have no good agenda for the wellbeing of the masses of the country.

According to the group, accepting such endorsement from MEND, a terrorist organization, only sends a bad signal about Nigeria to the international community, capable of destroying the moral fabrics of our true African spirit of honour.

In a statement issued by NDF’s National President, Comrade Philip Agbese, in Abuja, yesterday, the group said such endorsement, coming at a time when the whole world is united in condemning and fighting terror groups have the potential as painting Nigeria as a country that engages in wholesale sponsorship of terrorism.

“It is worrisome that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) came out to openly endorse Buhari and he did not distance himself from them within minutes.

Even if he wants to claim not to give any credence to the action of the group, which ordinarily should not be in existence anymore, the stridency with which MEND continues to market the said endorsement is enough incentive for the APC candidate to repudiate their offer of support.”

“This is a group whose existing members, who did not embrace the federal government offer of amnesty, should be on trial for crimes against the country.

“This silence must have perhaps emboldened other hideous groups like the evil Boko Haram that have been reported to have also endorsed Buhari’s candidacy.

“This is yet another source for worries given the fact that Buhari’s previous utterances like ‘baboons bathing in their own blood’ are suspected to have been a Launch pad for the ferocious intensity that the Boko Haram insurgency has taken on,” NDF added.

The group said Saturday’s attack on campaign buses of the People Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan by some thugs in Jos, Plateau state, is an indication of the kind of atmosphere of terror that can be unleashed on the nation.

The group therefore advised Buhari not to heed the quality counsel given by his opponent and immediately distance himself from these questionable groups to focus on issue based campaigning.