We have no link with NDA - Dokpesi, Akpabio

Following the naming of sponsor of Niger Delta Militant group by a splinter group, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers which listed some top officials including the former president as sponsors of the Avengers, Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi and Godswill Akpabio have denied the claim by the group. Both Dokpesi and Akpabio in separate statements made available to our reporter said the claim is baseless, spurious and unfounded allegation that aims at creating distractions to the critical political issues that currently engage his full attention. Speaking through Alhaji Shehu Gabam, the DG Raymond Dokpesi Campaign Organisation, he said; “For the avoidance of doubt, let us state categorically that this is nothing but a blatant concoction of falsehood obviously laced with the political intention of throwing a spanner in the works of our nation wide campaign/consultation with PDP delegates throughout the country in our bid to contest the National Chairmanship of the PDP. 
“High Chief Dokpesi is a highly celebrated personality and people who know him will attest to the fact that he is not only a peace loving citizen but one who is passionate about the unity, indivisibility and oneness of  our nation. Regardless of the partisan political process in the country,  now clearly infested with all manner of treachery, bitterness and unwholesome acts by opposing political actors, he has always and will always be an advocate of winning all political contests fair and square.  “While we do not hide the fact that we have political differences with the All Peoples Congress, APC and the Federal Government especially on it’s policies, High Chief Dokpesi is a firm advocate for advancing the cause of our democracy through  a robust and vibrant opposition that will keep the Government of the day on its toes.”

On his part, the Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio denied being the sponsor of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) or any other militant group. The former Akwa Ibom State governor described the publication as “baseless, reckless and senseless. “It is a fabrication from the pit of hell from those who are profiteering from the crisis in the Niger Delta and would wish no end to it,” he said. The senator in a statement by his special assistant on media, Mr Anietie Ekong said: “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that Senator Akpabio has no link with the NDA or any other militant group for that matter.
“Contrarily, the position of Senator Akpabio as a foremost advocate of dialogue in resolving the Niger Delta crisis is well known. He is of the strong belief that blowing up pipelines and causing further environmental pollution to the Niger Delta is not in the interest of the region as it would take over 100 years to remediate the effects of such environmental degradation. “Neither does he believe that economic sabotage at a time of economic recession the nation is currently passing through can be an answer to the Niger Delta problem.” Akpabio cautioned that politicising the Niger Delta crisis through propaganda would amount to an ill wind that would blow nobody any good.