President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has barred a Niger Delta agitator, Alhaji Mujarhedeen Asari-Dokubo from paying a courtesy call on him at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The development followed the militant’s request to pay a visit to the villa, but which was rejected, according to the Leadership Newspapers.
It was also reported that President Tinubu will not grant audience to any ethnic militias from the oil rich region who intends to pay a visit to the Villa.
The ban may not be unconnected to utterances of the leader of the defunct Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force which was considered a national security risk after he had paid a visit to the Villa on June 16.
Dokubo had in his utterances accused the military of getting engaged in oil theft which has attracted a response from the military hierarchy for a proof.
The source said, “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.
“You can recall that he came out of the president’s office to lampoon the Armed Forces, accusing its personnel of being the arrow heads of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta. He has been seen arrogantly going about with many gun-wielding youths, boasting about the prowess of his private army to deal with constituted authorities, including the military and a sitting governor, precisely Rivers State Governor, Mr. Fubara.”
Meanwhile, the special adviser on media and publicity to the president, Ajuri Ngelale said that he is not aware of the issue, let alone, the president’s directive on the matter.
“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.
