From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) leadership and membership have written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari to express their grave concerns about the future of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and to warn of potential threats to the country’s peace, stability, economic prosperity, and Niger Delta region’s development.
They described as quite disturbing recent happenings and media reports, regarding the possible termination of the programme, possibly before the end of the administration, and the vile silence of his government on the matter.
In the letter signed by National Leader, Edwin Clark, and 34 others, titled: “OUR CONCERNS ON THE FUTURE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME” they noted that although news reports, within the last 48 hours, stated that “the Federal Government has rescinded the plan to terminate the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP)”, but the rumours of the winding up of the programme and the alleged delisting of about 3,000 beneficiaries have already sparked anxiety in the Niger Delta.
The letter read in parts: “We recall that similar speculations were strewn in 2020, before the appointment of Col. Milliard Dixon Dikio (rtd) as Interim Administrator of the Programme, in August of that year.
“PANDEF issued strong statements and warned against the plan, at the time.
“Mr. President, these “underhand” tactics, marked by secrecy and chicanery, are improper and unthoughtful of the realities in the region. They are also, definitely, not in the best interest of the peace and stability of the Niger Delta region, and the friable economic situation of the country.
“It is insidious for Government, at any level, to take critical decisions, capable of impacting negatively on the peace and stability of the society, merely on solipsistic references, without proper situational awareness, and due consideration of the ramifications.
“We had discussed these concerns at our extraordinary meeting held on Thursday, 20th October 2022 and reflected the same in the communiqué therefrom:
“PANDEF cautions the federal government against any ill-advised plan to terminate the Presidential Amnesty Programme given the rumours that the government is scheduling to wind up the programme before the end of the Buhari administration;
“The meeting further warns that considerations that the Presidential Amnesty programme could be scrapped due to a pipeline Surveillance contract awarded to a private firm, are not only illogical but unacceptable;
“Notes that the Amnesty Programme was an intervention to promote peace and stability in the Niger Delta; thus, any attempt to prematurely end the programme would be detrimental to the peace and stability of the Niger Delta;
Going forward, the Amnesty Programme should be extended to include the full re-integration of all beneficiaries.”
Continuing, PANDEF reminded President Buhari the circumstances that led to the proclamation of the Presidential Amnesty by late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on the 25th of June 2009.
“We remember that, upon the willful surrender and handing over of arms and ammunition, and the execution of the Renunciation of Militancy by the youths, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, on 9th October 2009, met with Governors and other critical Stakeholders of the Niger Delta region, including the ex-Militant leaders and committed to the terms of the Amnesty.
“The objective of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), which has been described by experts as a “masterpiece” Peace and Security Strategy by the Federal Government of Nigeria, is to mitigate Youth restiveness as well as stabilize, consolidate and sustain security conditions in the Niger Delta Region; and allow for socioeconomic and infrastructural development.
“And, like all other DDR programmes, globally, the Presidential Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta ex-agitators was also designed to encourage trust and confidence, and deal with the root causes of conflict. With the ultimate aim to prevent a return to violent conflicts in the Niger Delta, and indeed make peace irreversible.
“Sadly, recent developments around the programme are eroding the trust and confidence that have been gained over the past years.
“While we are not unaware of the fact that the Programme was conceived and designed to last for a specific period, it is important to underscore that existing realities make thoughts of ending the programme unrealistic. Given that several of the already demobilized ex-agitators are still undergoing different forms of training in institutions within and outside the country.
“Appreciably, the programme has met the Disarmament and Demobilization (DD) aspects of the DDR, but the Reintegration phase of programme has not yet been achieved and therefore, should be allowed to continue.
“Besides, Your Excellency, little or nothing, has been done about the other major components of the Amnesty protocol to buffer the situations that resulted in the conflict, like infrastructural development on a coordinated and transformative scale, including the completion of the East-West Road; and the implementation of deliberate policies to escalate economic development in the region as well as issues of environmental remediation and ecological restoration.
“Consequently, any unguided and hasty termination or alteration of the Programme would be an act of bad fate and a threat to the “fragile peace” in the region. The feedback we are getting is that the youths are angry!
“It is better to adequately manage the peace achieved, so far, by the Amnesty Programme than to allow detrimental infractions.
“To say the least, it is very unfair that whereas other intervention programmes such as the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), continue with their training activities, which, majorly favour beneficiaries from the North while candidates from the South are relegated, the government is tinkering with the Presidential Amnesty Programme. This is the height of injustice and avoidable provocation on the people of the Niger Delta.
“It is even more disturbing that these irksome tendencies are being contemplated at the twilight of your administration. It is impossible to speculate that Mr. President desires to hand over a crisis-ridden Niger Delta to his successor.
“We urge that you tread with caution on issues concerning the Niger Delta region. It will suffice to footnote that no single individual or effort can sustain peace in the Niger Delta!”
PANDEF demanded a categorical statement from the Presidency “substantiating the status of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, to douse the brewing tension in the region;
“Halt the unilateral delisting of beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the immediate reinstatement of youths purportedly delisted.
“Mr. President should, as a matter of necessity, urgently convene a meeting with critical Stakeholders of the Niger Delta region, including the Governors, Elders, and Leaders as well as the ex-Militant leaders, for consultation and input, on a realistic, practicable and acceptable schedule for the Presidential Amnesty Programme and Other Related Issues. Just as President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua did before the commencement of the Amnesty Programme.
“Appoint a substantive Coordinator for the Presidential Amnesty Programme to end the “Interim” phenomenon that has characterized agencies of the Federal Government with direct bearing on the Niger Delta.”