The Guardian Online - http://ngrguardiannews.com

Thursday,June 28, 2001

From Abiodun Adeniyi, Abuja

DELTA central Senator Fred Brume apologised yesterday to his kinsmen over allegations that he criticised their clamour for resource control. The pronouncement by the legislator which was seen as against the wishes and aspirations of Delta State and that of the Niger Delta people, then declared him a persona non grata.

 His attempt at clarifying his stance as that of a desire for moderation in the quest for resource control, as against total rejection of the demand, fell on deaf ears. Politicians from the state including some state legislators deplored the purported pronouncement, likening him to an outcast.

 But Brume said yesterday: "I hereby apologise for the confusion and inconveniences caused by my alleged utterances and promise to work for the progress and development of the people of Delta State, together with the state governor."

 He further noted: "Consequent upon the misgivings generated over my alleged stance on 'resource control', and the special meeting of the PDP Delta central senatorial district at Okpe Hall, Sapele, on Sunday 24th June 2001, I wish to state as follows for the avoidance of doubt.

• "that it is unfortunate and embarrassing to my person that in the said news report, I was misrepresented and misquoted out of context which led to wrong inferences by my constituents (Delta central senatorial district) and many Deltans in general;

• "that I am in support of 'resource control' that, on balance, will and must be beneficial to all Deltans and Niger Deltans and indeed all natural resource producing Nigerians; and

• "that I wish to particularly reassure my people of Delta central senatorial district (as their elected representative) that I remain committed to promoting their true interests at all times in a democratic federal Nigeria, governed by the rule of law and by the constitution."