Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, on Wednesday, described Niger Delta Avengers as blackmailers.
The governor, who condemned the activities of the militants, said government would not submit to blackmail from any quarters.
The governor stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, the country deserves respect from all, adding that the political elite should help in promoting and strengthening the bridge of unity in the country.
“I don’t think the state should submit to blackmail, for me I think the state should be respected.
“For me I believe in Nigeria, I believe no part can do without the other, I believe our unity is not negotiable, I believe the responsibility of the political elite is to strengthen the bridge of unity, to discourage preaching hatred; discourage amplifying weak points rather work to strengthen those points.
“I salute our armed forces for what they are doing and the confidence they have brought back to our security,’’ he said.
Oshiomhole further stated that “President Buhari deserves the support of everyone and there is no part of Nigeria that can be better off without the other part”.
He said: “The sooner we accept this reality the better it is for all of us. The days of ethnic champions and imaginary divides will not help anyone.’’
The governor maintained that the president had shown leadership and determination to keep the country going and “for once, we are enjoying respect in world capitals, in different continents’’.
Oshiomhole, therefore, enjoined all Nigerians, particularly the people of the South-South region, to support and cooperate with the Buhari-led administration in his efforts to transform the country.
“We don’t need to be security experts to accept the universal truth that wherever there is insecurity there will be no investment because no investor will go to where is unsafe.
“And where there is no investment poverty will be endemic because there will be no job for our people.
“I appeal to all of us in the South South, we need to wake up; it is for our own self interest that we make the region the most investor friendly.
“The assets being destroyed is not just national assets, it is our own assets. It is what makes the South South the hub of the Nigerian economy.
“So, if somebody for whatever reason decides to destroy pipelines and thereby compounding the problem of pollution, the cost of cleaning up that area, making it attractive either for fishing, farming or other business, is a huge cost,’’ he added.
The governor commended Buhari for his commitment to clean up Ogoni land and other polluted areas in the Niger Delta.
He urged the people of the region to work together and encourage the President and the Federal Government to continue to do.
