Niger Delta Stakeholders Oppose Termination Of Amnesty Programme

Traditional rulers and ex-militant leaders from the Niger Delta region have advised President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Security Adviser (NSA) major general Babagana Monguno (rtd) against the hasty termination of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

The stakeholders said though the newly appointed interim administrator, major general Barry Tariye Ndiomu (rtd.) has been directed to use the remaining eight  months of his administration to review the PAP and make recommendations to the incoming administration by 29th May 2023, it is hasty and could lead to insecurity issues in the region.

They argued that though the presidency has reportedly handed the new administrator, Gen. Ndiomu (rtd.) a six months’ timeline to shut-down the Presidential Amnesty Programme by February, 2023; the presidency should be cautious and careful while in haste without considering the several implications on the nation’s security, the possible disruption of economic activities, drastic decline in foreign exchange earnings from oil and gas production and sales, loss of oil revenues for payments of the nation’s recurrent expenditures, and loss of revenues for infrastructural development across the nation, including the possible disruption and or cancellation of the 2023 national elections across the nine states of the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

The convener of the stakeholders and former militant leaders, High Chief Pere Agbeinfa pointed out that “though the region had sustained the peace for many years and allowed the free-flow of oil and gas production and sales in our national interest, despite the displeasing policies of the present administration, the final straw that may break the camel’s back, and possibly disrupt the peace across the region might be the abrupt closure of the presidential amnesty office that provides for over 30,000 ex-militants and their families.

“While at the same time, the presidency is utilising billions of naira that have been exploited from the Niger Delta region for the training and rehabilitation of their so-called repentant Boko-Haram terrorists, and Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists that have killed and maimed thousands of innocent Nigerians with millions of Nigerians displaced by the actions of these terrorists.”

He also noted that the closure of the amnesty office may lead to an unimaginable crisis in the region that may lead to the disruption of the coming 2023 general elections and thwart the renewed campaign against crude oil theft from the Niger Delta region.

Agbeinfa, however congratulated the new interim administrator, describing him as a man with known capacity engulfed in a drive to contribute to the development of the region.

He urged the new administrator to sustain the tempo and improve on building the bridge between the Buhari-led administration and the people of the Niger Delta region.