President Tinubu Reportedly Restricts Niger Delta Ex-Militants from Aso Rock Visits – Asari Dokubo

Reports suggest that President Bola Tinubu has declined requests from former Niger Delta militant leaders to visit him at the presidential villa in Abuja.

According to LEADERSHIP, the presidency has rejected requests for courtesy visits by prominent militant leaders and ethnic militias from the oil-rich Niger Delta region to President Tinubu at the villa.

This decision is said to have been prompted by the visit of Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo, the leader of the now-defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), on June 16.

It is alleged that the president was concerned about Asari-Dokubo’s public statements and actions following his visit to the presidential villa.

Sources within the presidency informed the publication that Asari-Dokubo’s criticisms of the military near the villa indicated that the president shared similar views with the ex-militant leader.

The source stated, “The president has given a directive that he would not like to meet any Niger Delta warlord or ethnic militia after the horrible experience when he granted an audience to Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo. You know the man Asari is a strong supporter and adherent of Mr. President. But the management of the fallout of his visit to the Villa was a nightmare to the Presidency.”

FRESHREPORTERS MEDIA reports that Asari-Dokubo had criticized the Armed Forces, accusing them of involvement in illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. He was also seen with armed youths, boasting about his private army’s capabilities.

Meanwhile, Ajuri Ngelale, the special adviser on media and publicity to the president, stated that he is unaware of the issue and the president’s alleged directive.

“I have not heard any of such speculation going around within the State House. While we appreciate the desire for intriguing reportage, I think we should avoid speculative assumptions that have no verifiable basis in fact,” Ngelale said…[CONTINUE READING HERE]