Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) |
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For struggle, Solidarity and Socialism in Nigeria |
Committee for a Workers' International
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September 21, 2005. DSM PRESS STATEMENTRELEASE ASARI DOKUBO NOW!The Rivers State Police Command yesterday, Tuesday, September 20, 2005 arrested and subsequently flew to Abuja Mujahid Dokubo Asari, the leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF) in connection with a threat credited to the President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Jon Jon Oyinfie, that the British investments and citizens might be attacked in Nigeria if Governor Diereye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa state arrested and being quizzed by metropolitan police in London over alleged money laundering is not released. The DSM believes that the Federal government is only hiding under the canopy of safeguarding British investment and citizens over the IYC President threat to quash the genuine struggles and aspirations of the Niger Delta people for self-determination. Dokubo, for instance, has not issued any public statement in support or against the arrest of Governor Alamieyeseigha. The arrest of Dokubo is an attempt by Nigerian government to use the struggle of the Niger Delta people as a sacrificial lamb in the rifts between and among the ruling class. Arrest of Dokubo is provocative, unwarranted, unjust and capable of instigating an orgy of violence in the Niger Delta region. Notwithstanding the fact that Nigerian government gets nearly all of the 2.7 million barrel of crude oil which the Niger Delta daily supplies to the international market, translating to over 95% of the country's foreign exchange earning, the mass of the working people, youth and students of the Niger Delta are being short changed. Fishing and farming have largely been made impossible by the activities of the oil companies, roads are in the worst of state, there is no record of additional new schools being built, existing ones have their structures in total state of disrepair, the sick are left to the mercy of early death, etc. All these have attracted the youth in the region to Asari and others who they see as arrowheads to champion their cause albeit the limitations of their methods and tactics. DSM therefore demands an immediate and unconditional release of Asari Dokubo. If however he is found wanting of any allegation, he should be immediately charged to a court of competent jurisdiction. Segun Sango DSM General Secretary
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