Richard MichaelJonathan says MEND not responsible for Abuja attacks
October 9th 2010 12:35
President Goodluck Jonathan has said that terrorists were responsible for the bomb blasts that rocked Abuja yesterday contrary to claims that the act was perpetrated by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
Mr. Jonathan made the claim in his opening address at the colloquium, organised today in Abuja by the ECOWAS Parliament, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of some African countries.
``What happened yesterday was a terrorist act and MEND was just used as a straw; MEND is not a terrorist group," the President said.
``The Niger Delta people are aware of the government's noble efforts to assuage the suffering and deprivation in that region.
``I am from the Niger Delta, my father's house is few metres from an oil-well, so nobody can claimto be a Niger Deltan than myself."
MEND, yesterday, claimed responsibility for the attacks. A few minutes before the blasts, the group sent an email to journalists and media companies warning of the impending violence.
"With due respect to all invited guests, dignitaries and attendees of the 50th independence anniversary of Nigeria being held today, Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Eagle Square Abuja, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) is asking everyone to begin immediate evacuation of the entire area within the next 30 minutes. This warning expires after 10.30Hrs," MEND spokesperson Jomo Gbomo said in the mail.
However, Mr. Jonathan has said this was a diversionary tact by the real perpetrators of the crime. He argued that no Niger Delta group would carry out such an act as it would affect the region's chance for development.
``It is erroneous to think that my people who have been agitating for good living will deliberately blow up the opportunity they have now,'' Mr. Jonathan said.
He also said the country's security agencies will be restructured to become proactive to guarantee the safety of lives and property.
``I pray for the souls of those who died to attain peace and fervently pray for those who sustain injuries in the blast to be healed,'' he said.
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Reader Comments (260)
Posted by blaster on Oct 02 2010
Oh My God!!!
Posted by Tutu on Oct 02 2010
So Mr. Presidend now MEND spoke's man. MEND is nt even a militia group. Why is GEJ calling White, Black 4 us?
Posted by K A A on Oct 02 2010
The perpetrator shld be looked for and face justice,its not MEND the Presidency shld seek for International assistance in search of the cabals,
Posted by yaz on Oct 02 2010
Mr president you r out of u mind. What kind of judge tells some1 he is not guilty when he had already confessed to committing the crime. Naija we r in trouble if this guy becomes a president.
Posted by Clem on Oct 02 2010
If you are Intelligent, you will know that all these noise about MEND are all camourflag. The president is from Niger Delta, they want ppl to believe that his ppl are against him. Atiku and Ibb should be questioned!
Posted by Ma'aji Caleb Zonkwa on Oct 02 2010
“unnatural deeds bread unnatural troubles" William Shakespeare. Therefore, do not be driven into unnatural deeds. Gods' ways are better than Man's and Women. Definetly there is a coward by the door steps. We belive you MEND are not envolve on this BAD act.
Posted by Oke Fola on Oct 02 2010
Mr president is being selfish, your brothers said they are responsible and you said they are not. You dont have any developmental plan to y
Posted by Abi on Oct 02 2010
Mend says: "I did it" Mr. President says: "No you did not, its a group of masqurades parading as you." Ngwanu, time will tell.
Posted by El Komo on Oct 02 2010
The 5th columnists will not rest until Jonathan is removed from the Presidential race. Don't we all remember the king of bombers? That person who gets rid of his opponents by bombing in Naija. Let it be told, some people want Jonathan's vote split at the primaries or the general elections must have planted those bombs. Those bombs were not amateur like, they were professional. The first was a warning, the second bomb was so powerful, it set off a series of explosions and burned other cards nearby. Take a look again, when Funsho Williams was killed, it was done with military style, same for Dele Giwa, and now this. There's a military and professional angle to what was perpertrated at Abuja yesterday. He who has ears, let him hear.
Posted by IBEKA.E.IBEKA on Oct 02 2010
Mr. President, oh my God, i can see that you are protecting your people Niger Delta (MEND). Thus, you are planning to finger am innocent person. International news stated that they sent email before this incident. Oh stupid country I can the nature of this country.... Hence you will begin think political opposition like IBB etc..... I am disappointed Mr. President. In fact, South Africa government complained about this before this happened yesterday due to foolishness of you people ignored it..... Bullshit, I understand MEND accepted this wicked act through BBC London and SKY NEWS....... God have mercy upon me and others whom believe in me……..
Posted by Abubakar Sakkwato on Oct 02 2010
This is most unfortunate. A commander-in-chief speaking on behalf of terrorists. Referring to them as "my people"..... My fellow Nigerians, I see storm clouds in the horizon.
Posted by Biggerbang on Oct 02 2010
Problems have just started in Nigeria O. Dis is going to be a movie to stand in line for tickets, for sure. As it is always difficult to understand Mr. President, I can only wonder what this riddle is. GEJ, please make it plain to us what you are saying
Posted by bossman on Oct 02 2010
the GEJ is just a joke
Posted by true on Oct 02 2010
i agreed with MR president.
Posted by Zekus on Oct 02 2010
God is in control and in the side of GJ there is nothing any one or power can do God has decided to take over the country this time around and he is able.
Posted by Victor Emmanuel on Oct 02 2010
Mr President is suffering from a bad delusional disorder or maybe some form of amnesia. MEND not a terrorist organisation? Haba, Ebele, how far now! When did your name change to Jomo Gbomo or is it just case of solidarity with your murderous, criminaly inclined, "the whole world owe us something" cousins? Much as you may try to convince yourself otherwise, the panacea to this cancer called MEND is to use the Sri Lankan solution. Amnesty has failed, the time of talking is over; if MEND and their ilk in Niger Delta get away with this then you've shown to other adventurists that they've got the chance to hold the nation to ransom a la Abia State.
Posted by Private Eye on Oct 02 2010
MEND, he who lives in a glass house should not throw bomb!!!
Posted by Nnaendi Nwokoma on Oct 02 2010
My people,this is very disturbing to read from our man at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, and who will likelybe the prsident for the next several years. It is way too early to assign or not assign blame. MEND says they did it and the good GEJ says they did not. GEJ can only absolve MEND if he names another group at the same time. For now and for all Nigerians, GEJ, like it or not; MEND did this. Period. Looking to blame your political enemies is insincere and retrogressive to put it mildly. GEJ is now talking like the oaf who calls himself the governor of Abia State, who is blaming his political opponents for the Abayi 15 Children who were recently released. The stupid governor, who wanted to give amnesty to these same kidnappers had the audacity to take a picture with children he cannot protect! Shame on MEND; and GEJ stay out of this one. You cannot defend these cowards in MEND.
Posted by James.O on Oct 02 2010
Please ask Mr. President how many times MEND explode near they government house in Niger Delta (MEN)? But you are proclaiming that MEND is an innocent due to you are Niger Delta. God have mercy on you. Mr. President i am absolutely disappointed me now. I am weeping due to what you stated now.. Please don’t finger IBB in this matter yet because your mind is moving towards him……
Posted by Omo Alhaja on Oct 02 2010
Mr. President, the view from here is not flattering...your head is buried in the send.
Posted by waxy on Oct 02 2010
Did anyone watch him on CNN yesterday defending corrupt Nigerian. He was blaming foreigners for corruption in Nigeria.
Posted by Sawale on Oct 02 2010
Mr. President, you shouldn't have said that.
Posted by mahal on Oct 02 2010
This is troubling...
Posted by johnson on Oct 02 2010
Why do u people fail to understand that people can do anything to get into power,there is no reason MEND will attack on our independent day.I am from nger delta and i know what am talking about.Make them find the real people wen do am...wetin dey happen self
Posted by Gen Rommel on Oct 02 2010
This statement in my own opinion is rather premature & quick to conclusions. Someone in a position of C-in-C should know better that situations like this one can be very fluid, you don't commit yourself to a conclusive statement like this one except investigations are completed & a conviction is secured in Court of Law. This kind of statement comming from a C-in-C can even hinder investigations & tie the hands of the Judicial process on the long run. Mr. President needs to appreciate the strength of ambiguity in Security thinking for distabilizing his enemies.
Posted by henry on Oct 02 2010
let mend speak for themselves and let the president for nigerians ,infact am suprice the president is doing the opposite
Posted by Chuks on Oct 02 2010
GEJ please hasten up and bring the sponsors of this bombing to book. IBB and his cohorts are not above the law. They want to Rule Nigeria by force but it won't work.
Posted by Dave on Oct 02 2010
Dear Mr President, I believe U R not speaking out of order. A lot of wisdom & Diplomacy must come 2 play here.At this point,ur Godly silence would truly be helpful.As ur nation cries 4 attention,listen carefully and tend 2 its needs.We need,power,roads,infrastructu re,agricultural funding & dev of the Niger Delta.All these money U people R sharing in Abuja is not doing us any good.WAKE UP GEJ
Posted by Mgbechikanma Ejimonu on Oct 02 2010
Those in the know knows that MEND was just used as a camourflage to get this done........THE REAL ACTORS WILL SOON SHOW THIER FACE......I TOTALLY AGREE WITH Mr President
Posted by saama on Oct 02 2010
i quite agree with Mr Presido. The perpetrators are not Mend, infact they are the ones fighting at all costs to get the top job
Posted by IykeK on Oct 02 2010
In my opinion, in as much as i believe MEND may not be responsible for the terrorism act, i can't seem to understand why this guy called JEG is speaking on behalf of MEND and defending their innocence. If MEND was truly not responsible they should officially deny it, but instead we are yet to hear anything from them.
Posted by Dammmpp on Oct 02 2010
Look @ Nigeria's president saying MEND isnt iresponsible..lol...this guy is a big joke. By the way..GEJ or whatever...why did you have to remove ur security chiefs b4 this kind of event! You know what? youre advisers are full of shit and they are leading you astray! Better wake up and smell the coffee
Posted by Ade Aditu on Oct 02 2010
Whether you like it or not, the blast is beyond MEND. They could have done it but believe me this is more than them.Does the ideals of MEND includes taking innocent's lives? Wot exactly do they stand to gain or loose by killing innocent ppl? Please be objective. Think, Nigerians Think!!!
Posted by www.vapourgrafix.com on Oct 02 2010
I knew instantly that it wasn't the "MEND" as soon as I heard that the bomb blast was done by the "MEND"...the only thing i could do was to shout FILEE!!! at the newspaper vendor. thanks for the reassurance
Posted by akans on Oct 02 2010
i strongly believe mr president. they are just used. very soon they will confuse does dat gave them de contract.
Posted by M. Adamu on Oct 02 2010
Unwise move, Mr. President. This shouldn't be a presidents reaction a day after a major terrorist act. God save Nigeria!
Posted by Rev. on Oct 02 2010
Anyway is possible that Niger delta people may be innocent of the action by looking at and evaluating Nigeria present politics. whether they are innocent or not jonathan should carry out serious investgations otherwise his life is astake. but if Niger delta are innocent of the bomba blast they should be mindful of their utterances b/c i could remember the story of Totis and a pregenant woman at last totis was held responsible because another person's action simply because Totis said it before-it happened
Posted by IGBO MAN on Oct 02 2010
I am very much disappointed with the president, he shows weakness, this is not time for ethnic politic, it calls for action because Nigeria was wounded, firstly he has to declare MEND a terrorist organization and deal with them as such for claming the bombing, before looking elsewhere. This will surely help Nigerians to access the president well before voting him in or out of office.
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