Legal practitioner Ikpaka rubbishes group calling for Ndiomu’s reappointment

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos


A Niger Delta-born legal practitioner, Jeremiah Charles Ikpaka, Esquire has lambasted some ex-agitators whom he described as charlatans, calling for the reappointment of the immediate past coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme, Major General Barry Ndiomu.

This was disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday.

He called on the newly appointed National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to disregard and ignore the publication made by stomach infrastructure seekers under the unidentified self-acclaimed group called the Coalition of Ex-agitators of Niger Delta (CEND) calling for Ndiomu’s reappointment.

The legal practitioner said there would be more damage than good if Ndiomu is retained as coordinator of PAP, adding that he meant nothing good for the Ex-agitators by stopping some beneficiaries of stipends, scholarships, empowerment and training of the agitators in different entrepreneur skills.

He said, “These munchies are just seeking for self glories, having been sponsored by the said Ndiomu who from the inception of assumption of office has launched beyond the reason the office was created and its sustainability.

“You will recall, since from the day Ndiomu assumed office, there have been several protests both in Bayelsa and Abuja wherein Ndiomu ordered the military men attached to him to open fire on the peaceful protesters which the uncivilised military personnel did thereby causing grievous body injuries to so many of them. If Ndiomu was credible, he would have called the protesters and addressed them peacefully if possible provide transport for them in other to mitigate the situation, instead of ordering the military to open fire on the peaceful protesters.”

He debunked claims by the group that Ndiomu had introduced life-changing and sustainable programmes for the Ex-agitators, noting that Ndiomu had not embarked on any project since the inception of office.

The statement reads, “The so-called self-acclaimed group also assert that Ndiomu has introduced life-changing and sustainable programmes for the Ex-agitators which I beg to differ on the ground that if indeed Ndiomu has impacted on the Ex-agitators positively why the continuing protests since the day he assumed office and even till now. I frown at this sponsored publication. I have never seen a project embarked on by Ndiomu in the name of empowerment of these ex-agitators rather than protest upon protest.

“Another point these gluttonous group of persons clothed with human flesh made out was that, the said Amnesty boss has fought and eradicated corrupt practices in the office, this again is laughable because, if Ndiomu was fighting corruption of beneficiaries of multiple accounts linked to a single BVN why he has been paying the so-called Generals, does it mean he is afraid of the Generals. I see no success but rather a designed arrangement to loot funds made for PAP.”

He urged President Tinubu and NSA, Nuhu Ribadu to ignore the mischievous campaigns and sponsored voices to cause distraction in the PAP office.

“I hereby call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the NSA to ignore these avaricious group of persons and their call to retain a man without evidence of good leadership.

“It is part of my appeal that Ndiomu should be investigated at his operational level since he assumed office.

“I call on Mr President to completely remove Ndiomu and replace him with a credible leader from Delta state,” he added.