Two militant groups have accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to rig elections in the Niger-Delta.

According to Daily Post, the groups – Revolutionary Crusaders, and 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta also called on security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to manipulate the upcoming elections so as not to incur the wrath of militants in the region.

The
militants, in a statement, also wondered why another militant group,
Niger Delta Creek Warriors broke away from the Federal Government’s
peace deal.

The statement reads: “The NDRC and the
21st Century Youths of Niger Delta disassociate ourselves from these
faceless groups that call themselves Niger Delta Creek Warriors.

“Yes, all their demands are genuine and
legitimate, but it has a political coloration taking into cognizance the
forth-coming general election.

“Why is this threat coming at this time? Who and who did they contact? What is the motive behind it?

“The NDRC and the 21st Century Youths of
Niger Delta view it as a ploy to militarise Niger Delta and put fear
into the people to rig the election for the ruling APC.

“They should be disregarded because they
do not have the capacity to carry out their threat. We want to advise
the Nigerian Army, other security agencies and Independent National
Electoral Commission, INEC, to be neutral in the forth coming general
election not to incur the wrath of all agitating groups in the Niger
Delta.

“They should take into consideration the
huge amount spent in servicing our foreign debts and our over dependence
on our oil proceeds to sustain this nation, most especially, funding of
the 2019 budget.

“The 2019 general election is very
important and crucial to all Nigerians and we believe that it will give
birth to a new Nigeria that will be fair to the Niger Delta people and
enthrone equity and justice or mar and breakup this nation called
Nigeria.

“We wish the nation a happy New Year and a peaceful election ahead.

“The Niger Delta struggle is all about the
emancipation of the Niger Delta and cutting loose the spiritual chains
of modern slavery, degradation, exploration, poverty, underdevelopment,
oppression, injustice and total extinction of Niger Delta people by the
activities of the multinational oil companies.

“The companies are only interested in
drilling of oil with impunity and the Nigerian nation is interested in
making profit, even when endangering the health and well-being of the
Niger Delta people.

“The oppressive attitude of the Nigerian
government and the inhumane activities of the multinational oil
companies has given the Niger Delta Revolutionary Crusaders and the 21st
Century Youths of the Niger Delta no choice, but to set aside their
individual differences so as to focus on the great task of facing the
oppressors that claim to own Nigeria.

“We warn the northern oligarchy and the
Nigerian military that the people of the Niger Delta will not tolerate
the unprofessional conduct of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and
other security agencies any more. In the guise of looking for criminals
or militants, they erase an entire community and kill our people on
flimsy excuses.

“We have seen in the northern part of the
country where Boko Haram operates with impunity, two distinguished
Generals were brutally and shamefully slaughtered like common criminals.