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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Ex-militant leaders from the Niger Delta have raised the alarm over alleged delisting of 3, 548 beneficiaries from the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
In a statement by former ex-militant leader, General Boma Inewariku (Atangba-One), the group alleged that the delisting was done without due consultation with the stakeholders and that it was part of the plot to terminate the programme by December 31.
They urged the Interim Administrator of the programme, Major Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd) to reinstate those delisted to douse the tension that has been brewing in the oil rich region following their delisting.
Those affected are from various camps, including 227 from Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo; 287 from King Ateke Tom and 80 from Victor Ebikabowei aka Boyloaf camps, they alleged.
General Boma also disclosed that beneficiaries from the camps of Pastor Reuben Wilson, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere (aka Lami), Eris Paul (aka Ogunboss) and Great Joshua Macaiver, among others, have been pencilled for delisting.
Boma called on Ndiomu to reinstate the 3,548 beneficiaries alleging that the plot was to delist about 10,000 beneficiaries, while the remaining 20,000 would be transferred to other ministries in 2023.
The ex-militant leader queried the motive behind closing the amnesty programme while funds from Niger Delta’s crude oil is used to rehabilitate repentant terrorists.
“How can these people continue to support Ndiomu that is publicly fighting against the interest of the Ijaw Nation and our region in order to close-down the only programme that is of such strategic importance to our people.”
