2000 Amnesty Slots: Jackrich Petitions Tinubu Over Senate Resolution

The leader of the Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF), High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, popularly known as Egberipapa, has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the non-implementation of a Senate resolution allocating 2,000 Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) slots to his camp.

Jackrich, in a petition submitted to the State House this week, also requested the integration of Egberipapa Camp into PAP and an independent audit of the programme’s finances from inception.

He said more than 4,000 former agitators under Egberipapa Camp had remained outside the PAP framework for 17 years, despite their participation in the disarmament process that preceded the establishment of the programme in 2009.

Jackrich recalled that he petitioned the 9th Senate on April 13, 2021, through the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, over the alleged exclusion and marginalisation of members of his camp.

According to him, the committee conducted legislative hearings and recommended that Egberipapa Camp/NDLF be integrated into PAP and allocated 2,000 slots. He said the committee, in a follow-up letter dated June 8, 2021, also directed the then Interim Administrator of PAP to explain how funds appropriated to the programme were utilised and provide documentary evidence of slot allocations to various camps.

Jackrich said the failure to implement the Senate resolutions had created “a profound sense of injustice” among the affected former agitators and their families, while imposing a significant welfare burden on him.

He warned that continued delay could have security implications in the Niger Delta, saying some frustrated youths could be tempted to resort to “self-help” or other unlawful means. He stressed that the warning was not a threat to the Federal Government but an appeal for preventive intervention.

Beyond his camp’s request, Jackrich asked Tinubu to order an independent review of PAP’s slot allocation system, including the criteria for identifying beneficiaries, the number of slots approved annually since 2009, allocations to recognised camps and the reasons for excluding certain groups.

He also called for an independent forensic and performance audit of PAP, covering funds appropriated and released, expenditure, procurement and contracts, beneficiary and camp allocations, outstanding liabilities and compliance with procurement and audit laws.

Jackrich made eight specific requests, including implementation of the Senate resolution on the 2,000 slots, verification of affected former agitators, production of historical allocation records, investigation into the non-implementation of the Senate resolutions, engagement with stakeholders by the National Security Adviser and establishment of a time-bound mechanism for resolving the matter. He also requested an opportunity to present original documents and evidence to the President or a designated panel.

The NDLF leader commended the Tinubu administration for efforts to boost crude oil production and sustain intervention programmes in the Niger Delta, stressing that his approach remained peaceful and institutional. The Presidential Amnesty Programme was established in 2009 to disarm, rehabilitate and reintegrate former militants in the Niger Delta through stipends, education, vocational training and empowerment initiatives.