Since then, Asari, 43, who in 2004 led the armed occupation of the country's de facto petroleum capital, Port Harcourt, has repeatedly spoken out against political corruption, foreign oil and its adverse effects on the Niger Delta. He has also criticized armed groups that profess to have the same interests as his own Niger Delta People Volunteer Force.

In an interview with United Press International, Asari talked about the crucial issues affecting Nigeria, particularly those in the delta, where billions of dollars of oil and gas are extracted annually though the vast majority of people live in abject poverty.

Revered by some delta residents as a hero, and others as a gang leader responsible for numerous deaths, Asari spoke candidly about his impressions of new Nigerian President Umaru Yard'Adua, foreign petroleum companies and the ethic and tribal strains that continue to fracture Nigeria, a former British colony that has known little peace since its independence in 1960.

UPI: You appear to be very popular since your release from prison. Why is that?

Asari: Because people are able to make a distinction between our struggle and the struggle of those who are engaged in criminal activities. Our struggle is moral and just. It is based on the traditional ethics of the people of the Niger Delta. It's not about making money or mass murder. And that's what some people have reduced the struggle to.

Q: NDPVF is not about that?

A: No. Never.

Q: How does your struggle differ from that of armed militants in the delta?

A: We were in the creeks for 12 months (October 2003-October 2004). And during that time, we didn't do one single act of kidnapping. But we were very effective. We drew the attention of the world with our successes against the Nigerian military. We seized Port Harcourt city for eight hours (August 2004). The people pleaded with us to leave Port Harcourt. The government of the day fled Port Harcourt.

It was such a force. There was no kidnapping of children, no bank robbery - none of these activities that are now going on. People have now been able to make a distinction. They say: "Look, this is a genuine struggle (Asari's NDPVF) and this is a false struggle (the current militant and gang activity in the Niger Delta.)

Q: Regarding this "struggle" now: Some say there is no difference between militant groups like MEND (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) and armed gangs. Is there is difference?

A: There is no organization known as MEND. It does not exist (now).

Q: How is it then that a group calling itself the MEND takes responsibility for armed attacks on oil installations and kidnappings of foreign oil workers?

A: Let me educate you about how MEND came about. When I was arrested, the NDPVF and other groups met and decided to start an agitation for my release. But the Ijaw groups want to provide an armed platform. Those that wanted to form an armed platform formed the MEND. And the name MEND came into being. But there is no structure to MEND. There is not official to MEND.

Q: Where are the militants and gangs in the Niger Delta getting their weapons?

A: The guns are everywhere. I can take you there to buy one.

Q: Where did the NDPVF get their arms?

A: One of our arms suppliers. (Asari did, however, tell UPI his arms were purchased with his own money from a supplier who later became a member of the MEND.)

Q: In a recent interview you said that Nigeria is a country, but not a nation. What did you mean by that?

A: A nation is a group of people of common origin. We are not of common origin. We were forced to come together as one nation. We are not the same people. But the people were forcefully amalgamated to form Nigeria. But we have not come together as one nation and it would be difficult for us to do so.

Q: Why?

A: Because we are not the same people. We have to agree. If all of us want to jettison our separate identities and sovereignties and fuse together as one we have to see that. No one can use the force of harm to make us what we are not. The Nigerian government has the backing of the military. The military is used to put down the people, put down dissenting voices and say you must be "Nigerians." We (the NDPVF) are saying it cannot happen. That's why the armed struggle in Nigeria began in 1966.

Q: What do you think of President Umaru Yar'Adua?

A: I have met the man (Yar'Adua) on three occasions. He is a likable man. But the interests at stake are too much for him (to handle). He is not courageous enough to undo all the evil and crimes that have been committed during all these years.

Q: Is there someone in Nigeria can tackle these problems?

A: Possibly.

Q: Is it you?

A: If I become president I can do it.

Q: There are widespread allegations that the last presidential election was fraudulent. Do you think so?

A: I cannot say because I was underground (in prison). In 2003, the election was a fraud. That's what led to my confrontation with the government.

Q: There are calls from some for a referendum, would you run for president?

A: I don't think so.

Q: How do you feel about the multinational oil companies operating in the delta?

A: They are criminals -- irresponsible criminals. They have to be put on trial for polluting the environment and discharging toxic waste into the rivers killing our aquatic life and all the wildlife. They are turning the Niger Delta into a wasteland.

Q: What can be done to improve the environment and save the delta?

A: We need a strong leader to change that. Yar'Adua has not yet shown he can do that. He has not exhibited that courage. The problem is political. We say that if we regain our political independence as sovereign people then all these things will fall in place.

Q: What do residents of the Niger Delta need most?

A: Political freedom! The freedom to decide who they are those who are going to govern them; the freedom to make laws for themselves, to preserve their culture and political freedom to decide everything for themselves.

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