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Aggrieved Ex- agitators of the Third Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, have accused previous and succeeding Administrators of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), for sideling them, after embracing the Programme.
According to them, over 13 years, after dropping their arms and ammunition to the federal government, they have not been recognized with their status,recognition and compensation.
In a press statement, which was made available to the media in Ughelli, Delta State, and signed by its aggrieved leaders,Chairman Comrade. Gen. Cairo and Secretary Lord Onipa, respectively, lamented the inhuman treatment meted out to them and that they can not allow that to continue, adding that, they and their followers have suffered for too long.
Recalling their ordeals, they said, we have been imprisoned and haunted because of the struggle of third phase in the Niger Delta. Nothing that, while they were incarcerated others were receiving documentations and allotting chances to their cronies and children.
They emphasized that, it was through their sacrifices that the Third Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, came to existence, of which some of their compatriots are now enjoying.
It further stated that, it is appalling to note that, those who purported to be Ex- agitators are the ones benefitting from the Programme.
According to them, under section 175, of the 1999, constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), prerogative of mercy, said that, Amnesty should not be given to oil impacted communities,because it is the responsibility of multinational oil companies, who are into exploration and exploitation. Amnesty should be given to those who have offended the president and the national Assembly.
Therefore, it is wrong that PAP boss is not dealing with genuine Ex- agitators who embraced the Programme and met the criterion, and been left out in the scheme of things, rather (he) office is dealing with oil impacted communities and other non-actors in the region, they pointed out.
They were also of the view that, those aides working with the Administrator of PAP, are not giving him the true position of things about their plight for all these years, therefore he is only after frivolous matters that are irrelevant to the set up objectives of the Programme.
They maintained that, within their long period in the dark, they’ve written series of letters and made representations to all relevant authorities without any tangible results, adding that, this development has pushed them to the wall.
They also took a swipe on the dual meetings held in Warri, Delta State, saying that, the interest of those ex-agitators who have not been captured are not protected. Stressing that, the Administrator of PAP, Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro PhD, is not addressing the issues that would bring lasting peace in the Niger Delta Region.
” However, we’ve pursued this matter of our legitimate rights as part of the beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, through all legal channels,with all the corresponding documents, but due to the negligence of the Amnesty office we’ve not benefitted.
” Therefore, a thirty days ultimatum is given to the PAP boss and the office to recognize us, otherwise at the end, we would embark on a peaceful protest to demand for our rights in the Amnesty Programme. And that, Egbesu deities in the Niger Delta are our witness in this quest for our justice.
“We are willing and ready to text the waters”
The duo noted that they would address a world press conference to let the world know about our plights and deceit in the Programme and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,the Vice president Kashim Shettima , and other relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that justice is done to us.
