PAP: Group Writes Tinubu Open Letter Over Marginalization of Delta Ijaws ln Appointment of Coordinator

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The foremost advocacy group, under the auspices of the Niger Delta Transparency Network, NDTN has written an open letter to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria over what it described as continued marginalization and deprivation of Delta Ijaws in the appointment of Coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme since the inception of the programme.

The group, in a letter signed by its president Comrade Emury Bekenawei, (Delta), Comrade Benjamin Teacher Vice Chairman,(Bayelsa), Comrade James Aloro Secretary (Ondo), Comrade Igbala Godday PRO (Bayelsa), and Sam Mijivwo, Financial Secretary ( Delta), Comrade Nicholas Oluwarefemi, welfare secretary, (Ondo) Comrade David Do-Good, organizing secretary (Delta), Gen. Victor Ekiozigha, Protocol (Bayelsa) and Esther Simeon women leader (Bayelsa) of which a copy was obtained by Congress news correspondent said Delta Ijaws should be allowed to produce the next coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme.

The letter titled, “Open Letter to President Bola Tinubu On Rising Concerns of Delta Ijaw in Appointment of Coordinator in the Amnesty Programme, said: “We write with deep concerns over the maladministration of the presidential amnesty programme by successive governments and administrators which has led to the sidelining of Delta Ijaws in the appointment of administrative heads in the programme.”

The statement reads further, “Mr president, it will interest you to know that the purpose of the establishment of the presidential amnesty programme has been defeated following the diversion of attention by administrators of the programme and substantive governments.”

The group lamented that past administrators and governments had misdirected attention to the aims and objectives of the presidential amnesty programme.

The statement said, “It is appalling, Mr president that instead of successive administrators and political hegemonies in the corridors of power to advance the course of providing better welfare for the ex-agitators, they now seek for self-glory with the money meant for the ex-agitators welfare, leaving the ex-agitators to decide whether to go back to the creeks or not.

“It is succinct to say that the peculiar reason for the establishment of the amnesty programme was to create peace and stop further attacks on the national assets by the ex-agitators to provide a level playing ground for all stakeholders involved in the programme but this purpose has been defeated following the continued maladministration of the programme.”

They decry that appointment into the office of the coordinator of the Amnesty Programme is lopsided, adding that Delta Ijaw, being a critical stakeholder in the Niger Delta struggle, was marginalized and sidelined.

“Mr President, we want to equally let you know that appointment into the office of the presidential amnesty programme has been lopsided and Delta State Ijaw which was considered the focal point of the establishment of the amnesty programme has been sidelined over the years for the appointment of substantive and interim administrators.

“Mr President, we bring to your notice how appointments have been made in the presidential amnesty board overtimes. Take a look at the followings; In 2009, Major General Godwin Abbe (rtd) CFR DSS nib was appointed as chairman of the presidential amnesty committee from Akwa-Ibom state.
In the same 2009, Air Vice-Marshal Lucky Ochuko Ararile was appointed as coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, from Urhobo Delta State.

“In 2011, Timi Alaibe was appointed as Special Adviser to the president of Niger Delta and Coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme. In the same 2011, Hon. Kingsley Kuku was appointed as Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta affairs and chairman of the presidential amnesty office from Ondo State.

“Again, in 2015 Gen. PT Boroh (rtd) was appointed as Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta affairs and coordinator, of the presidential amnesty programme from Bayelsa. In 2018, Prof. Charles Dokubo was appointed as Special Adviser to the president of Niger Delta and coordinator, of the presidential amnesty programme from Rivers State. In 2020 Colonel Milland Dikio,( retired) was appointed from Bayelsa state and Maj Gen Barry Ndiomu, the current Acting Administrator was also appointed in 2022 from Bayelsa state.

“Mr President, the above non-procedural appointments will speak for themselves on the extent of marginalization of Delta Ijaws in the appointment of substantive or Interim administrators in the amnesty programme.

“Mr President, Delta Ijaw deserved to be considered for equity and peace. Delta Ijaw has never agitated against the appointment of stakeholders from other states in the programme over the years. We equally don’t think anyone will object to this humble call for the consideration of Delta Ijaw, except, an ingrate who wants to intentionally undermine the active and critical roles played by Delta Ijaws in the Niger Delta peace process which snowballed to the establishment of the presidential amnesty programme. We are sure that our call will be appreciated by every well-meaning stakeholder, leader, traditional ruler and youth in the Niger Delta region.

“Mr President, as stated above, Delta Ijaws are critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta emancipation struggle, and they should be treated as kings and queens in consideration for the appointment of the next coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme.

“Mr president, it will not be fair to treat good people with bad, such will discourage and demoralize such persons in keeping faith in a system.

“In the same vein, Mr President, you need Delta Ijaws for continued peace and support and to advance your government policies, hence the need to timely address their concerns cannot be overemphasized.

“Finally, it is our resolve that you appoint a credible person, a blameless person, a man with no questionable character among stakeholders of Ijaws of Delta State, and we strongly believe you will treat our call with the highest regard,” the group added.

Read the Open Letter in Full

Niger Delta Transparency Network, NDTN.

His Excellency,
Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Presidential villa
Abuja.

Sir,

Open Letter to President Bola Tinubu on Rising Concerns of Delta Ijaw in Appointment of Coordinator in the Amnesty Programme

We write with deep concerns over the maladministration of the presidential amnesty programme by successive governments and administrators which has led to the sidelining of Delta Ijaws in the appointment of administrative heads in the programme.

Mr president, it will interest you to know that the purpose of the establishment of the presidential amnesty programme has been defeated following the diversion of attention by administrators of the programme and substantive governments.

It is appalling, Mr president that instead of successive administrators and political hegemonies in the corridors of power to advance the course of providing better welfare for the ex-agitators, they now seek self-glory with the money meant for the ex-agitator’s welfare, leaving the ex-agitators to decide whether to go back to the creeks or not.

It is succinct to say that the peculiar reason for the establishment of the amnesty programme was to create peace and stop further attacks on the national assets by the ex-agitators to provide a level playing ground for all stakeholders involved in the programme but this purpose has been defeated following the continued maladministration of the programme.

Mr President, we want to equally let you know that appointment into the office of the presidential amnesty programme has been lopsided and Delta State Ijaw which was considered the focal point of the establishment of the amnesty programme has been sidelined over the years for the appointment of substantive and interim administrators.

Mr President, we bring to your notice how appointments have been made in the presidential amnesty board overtimes. Take a look at the followings; In 2009, Major General Godwin Abbe (rtd) CFR DSS nib was appointed as chairman of the presidential amnesty committee from Akwa-Ibom state.
In the same 2009, Air Vice-Marshal Lucky Ochuko Ararile was appointed as coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, from Urhobo Delta State.

In 2011, Timi Alaibe was appointed as Special Adviser to the president of the Niger Delta and Coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme. In the same 2011, Hon. Kingsley Kuku was appointed as Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta affairs and chairman of the presidential amnesty office from Ondo State.

Again, in 2015 Gen. PT Boroh (rtd) was appointed as Special Adviser to the president on Niger Delta affairs and coordinator, of the presidential amnesty programme from Bayelsa. In 2018, Prof. Charles Dokubo was appointed as Special Adviser to the president of Niger Delta and coordinator, of the presidential amnesty programme from Rivers State. In 2020 Colonel Milland Dikio,( retired) was appointed from Bayelsa state and Maj Gen Barry Ndiomu, the current Acting Administrator was also appointed in 2022 from Bayelsa state.

Mr President, the above non-procedural appointments will speak for themselves on the extent of marginalization of Delta Ijaws in the appointment of substantive or Interim administrators in the amnesty programme.

Mr President, Delta Ijaw deserved to be considered for equity and peace. Delta Ijaw has never agitated against the appointment of stakeholders from other states in the programme over the years. We equally don’t think anyone will object to this humble call for the consideration of Delta Ijaw.
Except, an ingrate who wants to intentionally undermine the active and critical roles played by Delta Ijaws in the Niger Delta peace process which snowball to the establishment of the presidential amnesty programme. We are sure that our call will be appreciated by every well-meaning stakeholder, leader, traditional ruler and youth in the Niger Delta region.

Mr President, as stated above Delta Ijaws are critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta emancipation struggle, and they should be treated as kings and queens in consideration for the appointment of the next coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme.

Mr President, it will not be fair to treat good people with bad, such will discourage and demoralize such persons in keeping faith in a system.

In the same vein, Mr President, you need Delta Ijaws for continued peace and support and to advance your government policies, hence the need to timely address their concerns in can’t be overemphasized.

Finally, it is our resolve that you appoint a credible person, a blameless person, a man with no questionable character among stakeholders of Ijaws of Delta State, and we strongly believe you will treat our call with the highest regard.

Accept the assurances of our highest regard.

Thanks and God bless

Signed

Comrade Emury Bekenawei, President (Delta), Niger Delta Transparency Network, NDTN.

Comrade Benjamin Teacher, vice Chairman, (Bayelsa).

Comrade James Aloro, Secretary (Ondo).

Comrade Igbala Godday, PRO (Bayelsa).

Comrade Sam Mijivwo, Financial Secretary ( Delta)

Comrade Nicholas Oluwarefemi, welfare secretary (Ondo)

Comrade David Do-Good, organizing secretary (Delta)

Comrade Esther Simeon women leader ( Bayelsa).

Gen. Victor Ekiozigha, Protocol (Bayelsa).