By: Felix Ikpotor
National Leader of Simplicity Movement, Ambassador Sobomabo
Jackrich, also known as Egberipapa has dissociated himself and his group from a viral video of gunmen threatening hostilities in Rivers State and Niger Delta region if the allocations of Rivers State is stopped following last Friday’s Supreme Court ruling.
Jackrich, who is an ex-Niger Delta agitator and governorship candidate of the National Rescue Movement in the last governorship election in Rivers State came out with the denial in a statement following a video by a group under the aegis of Niger Delta Rescue Movement wherein they threatened they issued several threats including sabotaging national assets in the region if allocations to Rivers State is ceased or Governor Siminalayi Fubara is impeached.
He said those in the viral video are not connected to his party the National Rescue Movement, the Tantita Security outfit which is responsible for the protection of oil installations in the region and the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force where he was the leader.
Jackrich suspects that some persons are attempting to rope him in based on his support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He noted that the Niger Delta Liberation Force which he previously led are now under amnesty and no longer involved in agitation.
He said: “My attention has been drawn to a recent video circulating online, purportedly released by a group identified as the Niger Delta Rescue Movement, threatening to resume hostilities in response to the 48-hour ultimatum issued to Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly.
“I am deeply concerned about the name of the group, as it bears a striking resemblance to my political party, the National Rescue Movement (NRM). As the leader of NRM in Rivers State, I categorically distance my party from any link, affiliation, or connection with this group. NRM remains a law-abiding political party committed to democratic principles and peaceful engagement,”.
Jackrich called on security agencies in the state to remain vigilant and not fall for antics of oriole seeking selfish gains.
“l wish to state clearly that neither National Rescue Movement, nor the Section of Tantita Security under my watch have any connection with criminality or acts of violence. I call on our security agencies to remain vigilant and not fall for the deceitful antics of those seeking to frame me for their selfish political gains.
“As a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have the inalienable right to support whoever I want. And thus, my support for Governor Siminialayi Fubara should not be criminalized or turned into an offense. I will continue to stand by what is right, and no amount of intimidation will deter me from my convictions,” he added.
