Moni begs Tinubu to increase PAP budget, amnesty beneficiaries stipends, condemns NDLEF petition against Dr Otuaro 

By Stephen Asaba-ase, senior correspondent

Chief Ebis Moni, a prominent Niger Delta leader has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to increase the 2025 presidential Amnesty programme budget and the N 65,000 naira stipend for beneficiaries.

This call to action is driven by the current economic hardship in the country, which has led to a significant increase in the cost of living.

The traditional chief, Moni condemned what he described as a worthless petition sent to EFCC by unpopular Niger Delta Liberators and Ex-Agitators Forum, NDLEF, against the administrator of the presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro on Punch and Vanguard newspapers on Saturday.

He said Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro has changed the ugly narratives of the presidential Amnesty Programme, stating that he should be allowed to carry out more reforms in the presidential Amnesty Programme to benefit the entire Niger Delta region.

Moni emphasized that the amnesty program is crucial for maintaining peaceful coexistence in the Niger Delta region, adding that the president should take the welfare of the ex-agitators seriously for peaceful 2027 general elections.

He commends the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) coordinator, Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, for his efforts in bringing peace to the region.

However, Moni stressed that the current stipend is insufficient due to inflation, citing the example that a bag of rice has increased from 6,000 naira to 130,000 naira, and a basket of garri has risen from 300 naira to 3,500 naira.

Furthermore, Moni condemned the recent petitions to the EFCC by a faceless group parading under the auspices of Niger Delta Liberators and Ex-Agitators Forum, NDLEF, alleging mismanagement of funds by Otuaro, describing such remarks as baseless and mischievous.

He argued that Otuaro has been effective in normalizing the amnesty program and satisfying the majority of the people in the Niger Delta region.

In light of the economic situation, Moni appealed to the federal government to increase the amnesty budget and stipend to support the beneficiaries and ensure the programme continued success.