Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has been lambasted by Chief Edwin Clark for saying that Fulani herdsmen learned kidnapping from Niger Delta militants.

Clark said; “Nigerians are patiently watching the macabre dance of the Northern elite because of power. Amnesty to bandits will mark the end of the flow of oil and gas from our region.”

“That statement is not only criminal but obnoxious. How can he say that? The people in the Niger Delta took arms when they found that they have been oppressed, dehumanised, and their rights taken away from them and given to other Nigerians.”

“They took all our land. The situation has affected their lives. They take all our money, they no longer go to school, they can no longer swim, they can no longer catch fish. They are fighting for their rights. What did Nigerians do to almajirai or to bandits in the North. Were you not there when they said they are Fulanis from outside Nigeria. So, where did they get it from the Niger Delta people?”

“That is a stupid statement, it is obnoxious and criminal. I don’t blame them because they are the people, their governors, their politicians who exploit our oil, they are the senior managers, and zonal managers of oil industries, they are the people who have oil blocs, they have taken away our oil, our people have nothing and at that time the youths decided to take the driver’s seat.”

“These people were kidnapping for wrong done to them to attract world attention. Their areas were occupied by military men. “Their areas are occupied by military men who were stealing their oil. So what are they talking? By killing people, maiming people, raping women? Who told them that our people are carrying AK-47?”

“They are very jealous because of the amnesty which they do not deserve. With Boko Haram, they have now created the North East Development Commission, whose money are they using if not money from the Niger Delta? They should stop it.”