South Wing MEND berates Minister for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri & IYC President Jonathan Lokpobiri IYC over hardship in the Niger Delta

A former leader of the defunt Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) popularly known as ‘Commander Endurance Azalla’, who is currently the spokesman of the SouthWing MEND worldwide has berated the Honourable Minister for Petroleum Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri over what he decribed as ‘his lackadaisical approach towards the peace and unity in the Niger Delta’.

In a statement by Commander Azalla on Thursday 22nd August, 2024 in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, he expressed worries that Sen. Heineken is “…only bent on taking advantage of his cousin who happens to be Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) President to undermine the genuine owners of the struggle that have brought peace and unity in the region”.

Commander Azalla further alleged that Sen. Heineken and Jonathan Lokpobiri had taken youths, women, and Chiefs of the Niger Delta for granted by putting the people of the region through what he described as ‘untold hardship’, “while playing local politics in Bayelsa State with his anti party activities”. Azalla also said that “if this continues then we shall have no other option than to organize a world press conference to support the redeployment of Heineken Lokpobiri from Minister of Petroleum Resources to Minster of Livestock due to incompetences.”

Azalla in his own words further alleged that “you Senator Lokpobiri will create ways and opportunity for your cousin Jonathan to be recieving 30 Million Naira monthly through the office of the EVP upstream of NNPCL, paying member of the defunct Criminal Camps 50 Million Naira monthly but undermines members of the Struggle that brought peace and unity in region who are the genuine agitators. We can not fold our hands and watch this ugly trend continue. I bet you, you will hear from the suffering youths of Niger Delta.”

Commander Azalla also lambasted the leadership style of the IYC President Jonathan Lokpobiri Jnr. “Jonathan Lokpobiri your leadership style is already affecting the youths of Niger Delta, the IYC is not your family business, we all made you were you are today, remember your contemporaries are performing way better than you, don’t force the youths of N/Delta to act against you with your oligarchy system. We genuinely know that you are not in the arm struggle of the region. Some of you are just missed placed priority in the system.”

“Be mindful of the influence you hold over young minds. Misleading or guiding them astray can have long-lasting, detrimental effects on their lives. Remember, leadership is about setting a positive example, providing guidance, and empowering others. Please re-evaluate your actions and ensure you’re leading with integrity and honesty or else we will call you to order”.