ria: Oil workers freed

The recently kidnapped ExxonMobil workers have been released together with six Afren workers, abducted about three weeks ago, and five Shell members of staff taken hostage about two months ago.

Niger Delta People Volunteer Force general, Nico Sinte, said that Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) was not, in fact, responsible for the kidnappings, which he attributed to sea pirates, despite contrary claims by MEND.

Sinte said the pirates have their camps along the waterways in Oron axis of Akwa Ibom state and the only way to curtail their unlawful activities was for the military to work with repentant militant groups who know the creeks and their hideouts.

Briefing the press in Uyo, shortly after a meeting with the Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio, Labour leaders praised the government as well as the security agencies for rising to the occasion.

Source: AllAfrica

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President Jonathan confirms intention to run for presidency

On Tuesday 7th September, President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed his intention to run for the presidency in the 2011 general elections. The announcement was made in an exclusive meeting with a group of governors who were elected under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

The governors' meeting, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was attended by the following governors:

Danbaba Suntai - Taraba State

Isa Yuguda - Bauchi State

Godswill Akpabio - Akwa Ibom State

Rotimi Amaechi - Rivers State

Liyel Imoke - Cross Rivers State

Timipre Sylva - Bayelsa State

Sullivan Chime - Enugu State

Gabriel Suswam - Benue State

Emmanuel Uduaghan - Delta State

Ihedi Ohakim - Imo State

Murtala Nyako - Adamawa State

Aliyu Akwe Doma - Nassarawa State

Babangida Aliyu - Niger State.

Although specific details of the meeting are yet unknown, sources said that the governors confirmed their support for Jonathan's candidacy, and some offered to be zonal co-ordinators of his campaign.

Sources have stated that the President will make the long-awaited formal public declaration of his intention on the 18th September. His disclosure came three days earlier than the expected date of 10th September, which had been announced by Presidential Adviser on Legislative/National Assembly matters Mohammed Abba-Aji.

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

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