Tension is brewing within the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) as beneficiaries under the scheme have accused the current administration of the programme of oppression, intimidation, and gross mismanagement.
In a press statement issued at the federal high court Abuja, on behalf of beneficiaries of the Niger-Delta Amnesty Programme, the National Chairman of the Reformed Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum, Owoupele Eneoriekumoh Owous, popularly known as Owous Gabon, raised serious allegations against the leadership of the programme under Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaru.
Owous stated that the programme, which was established to address the Niger Delta crisis and reintegrate former agitators into society, has allegedly deviated from its core mandate, becoming riddled with controversy, exclusion, and alleged human rights abuses.
According to him, beneficiaries who raise legitimate concerns are being targeted, intimidated, and silenced. He alleged that he was personally arrested and detained at Keffi and Kuje Prisons on what he described as trumped-up charges, simply for speaking out against irregularities within the programme.
“I have personally experienced oppression for daring to raise legitimate concerns. My arrest and detention left my family stranded and traumatized,” Owous said.
The Forum accused the Amnesty Programme administrator of allegedly using security agencies to intimidate beneficiaries and sponsoring miscreants to threaten violence against peaceful protesters — an allegation they described as unacceptable and dangerous.
The Reformed Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum outlined key demands aimed at restoring trust and fairness within the programme. These include:
• Immediate increment of monthly stipends to reflect current economic realities
• Reinstatement of unlawfully delisted beneficiaries
• Strategic collaboration with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and multinational oil companies to create sustainable projects and employment opportunities for beneficiaries
The group also called for greater transparency, urging President Tinubu to intervene decisively.
The Forum specifically called on President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to:
• Publish the names, camps, leaders, and account details of all Amnesty Programme delegates
• Provide a full account of budgetary allocations to the Amnesty Programme
• Prioritize the Niger Delta Recovery Plan, which they described as the core purpose of the Amnesty Programme
Owous emphasized that the Niger Delta Recovery Plan remains the “raison d’être” of the Amnesty Programme and warned that beneficiaries would not be silenced in the face of injustice.
“We demand justice, transparency, and accountability. The Niger Delta people deserve better,” he said.
In an addendum to the statement, Owous reiterated that his arrest and detention were carried out without just cause, calling on President Tinubu to take immediate action to address the matter and prevent further victimization of beneficiaries.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the Presidential Amnesty Programme have not responded to the allegations.
Chronicles Reporters will continue to monitor developments surrounding the Amnesty Programme and the growing discontent among Niger Delta ex-agitators.