By Ishaya Ibrahim
Acting News Editor
The fog is clearing over President Muhammadu Buhari’s 10-day holiday in the United Kingdom, which seems to critics like leaving his troops when the enemy is closing in.
His latest trip to London is not only for medical reasons, TheNiche learnt from senior government officials.
He is there to find a way around the onslaught against oil installations in the Niger Delta, which has reduced oil output from 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to less than 1.3 million bpd.
That may lead to Buhari appointing former President Goodluck Jonathan his special envoy on Niger Delta affairs.
He has been conferring with Jonathan, representatives of international oil companies (IOCs), British government officials, and a faction of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) since he arrived London on June 6.
“For the record, Buhari is not coming to London for ear infection treatment but for a secret negotiation meeting with the Niger Delta Avengers,” an insider who is privy to the behind the scene arrangement told TheNiche on the condition of anonymity.
Jonathan met with Buhari in Aso Rock on June 3, and flew to London on June 6 to deliver a lecture organised by Bloomberg.
Unseen hand in Niger Delta attacks
“Intelligence at the government’s disposal on the Niger Delta Avengers revealed their connection to two Middle East oil producing countries which are angry with Buhari’s government for treating the Shiites as nothing, and the continuous detention without trial of its leader, Ibrahim Al-Zakzakky,” the source disclosed.
Iran is the world headquarters of the Shiite Islamic faith, and has been unhappy with the Nigerian government for the killing of Shiite members in Zaria on December 12, 2015.
The anger was expressed in a telephone call to Buhari by Iranian Prime Minister, Hassan Rouhani.
Iran is also a major player in the international oil market with a daily oil export of about 2.3 million barrels, a figure it is lobbying to raise.
“The weapons and technology at these guys’ disposal are not something a serious government would take lightly. There is speculation they also have connection to the North Korean government,” our source added.
Jonathan to the rescue
Buhari, who is expected into the country on Friday, June 17, may also announce the appointment of Jonathan as his special envoy on Niger Delta affairs, sources said.
They added that this proposition became crucial following the rejection of the peace deal by the NDA which was brokered by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the governors of oil producing states last week.
The militants insisted in a tweet that “we are not negotiating with any committee. If the federal government is discussing with any group, they are doing that on their own.”
They announced in the same tweet that at 10: a.m. on Wednesday, June 8 they blew up an oil well (Well RMP 20) belonging to Chevron located 20 metres away from Dibi flow station in Warri North Council, Delta State.
It was learnt that the IOCs and the British government prevailed on Buhari to leverage on the goodwill of Jonathan in the Niger Delta and use him to stabilise things there, otherwise it would be bad business for everyone.
How Abuja intends to fund the N6.07 trillion 2016 budget remains tricky if it fails to resolve the impasse which has left the treasury broke.
An uneasy holiday
The cover up of Buhari’s travel to London was the reason for the ambiguity in the explanation by his Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, who said the president went on holiday and would only use the opportunity to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist.
Adesina insisted that Buhari “did not go to London for treatment. We made it clear in that statement (June 5) that he had been treated in Nigeria here. The medical experts here only told him that since he will be in London, he can seize that opportunity for evaluation.”
Based on Adesina’s statement, analysts said Buhari would not go holidaying in London at a time his countrymen are wallowing in poverty unless there are important reasons to do so.
“If he wanted to rest, he could have chosen to rest in Obudu Cattle Ranch as Jonathan did in 2011, or any other resort in the country,” the source argued.
Who are Niger Delta Avengers?
The NDA said in its blog that its members are young, educated, and well-travelled.
“Most of us were educated in Eastern Europe; but don’t worry, when we achieve our goal (sovereign state of Niger Delta) then you people will be proud of us.
“The Niger Delta Avengers is more concerned with the people of Niger Delta unlike you (former agitators) that were into kidnapping, killing of Nigerian soldiers, sea pirates, vessel and tanker hijacking.
“But we were able to carry out all our operations without killing a fly. We have sophisticated arms far better than what you use to have during your kidnapping days.”
