“Amnesty Money For Tinubu’s Politics?” — Kwalekeme Accuses Tompolo As ₦115bn PAP Budget Sparks Fury

By Passman Akpos

Fresh controversy has erupted over the management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) following explosive allegations by Cletus Kwalekeme that funds meant for ex-agitators are allegedly being diverted into political mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The allegation comes as PAP’s reported budget allocation increased from about ₦65 billion to ₦115 billion, while beneficiaries continue to complain about delayed payment of the ₦65,000 monthly stipend and scholarship allowances.

Tarakirivoice recently reported complaints from PAP scholarship beneficiaries who alleged that some students had gone between six and nine months without receiving their allowances. A source also confirmed to Tarakirivoice that payment had commenced for some beneficiaries, with some reportedly receiving three months’ payment, leaving questions over the outstanding arrears and when the remaining months will be cleared.

Against this backdrop, Kwalekeme has launched a direct attack on High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, accusing him of allegedly using money belonging to ex-agitators for political activities. Kwalekeme accused Tompolo of recommending Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro for the position of PAP Administrator and questioned allegations that money was allegedly paid to secure the position.

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He referred to an alleged claim by an individual from Tompolo’s kingdom that Tompolo paid one million dollars to secure the position for his “brother.” The allegation has not been independently established by Tarakirivoice, and the identity and credibility of the person allegedly making the claim could not be independently verified from the material available.

Kwalekeme, however, insisted that he had documents and financial records which, according to him, contained evidence of substantial movements of money. He claimed that his findings uncovered transactions involving more than ₦20 billion and repeatedly displayed documents during the video, insisting that they contained evidence supporting his allegations.

“I have all the proof,” Kwalekeme said, while displaying documents during the video. He further claimed that some of the documents showed movements of money through financial channels and alleged conversion of funds into dollars through bureaux de change. Among the figures he mentioned were ₦90 million and ₦150 million. However, the documents displayed in the video have not been independently authenticated by Tarakirivoice, and the allegations require examination by appropriate financial and anti-corruption authorities.

THE TINUBU CAMPAIGN CONNECTION

The most explosive part of Kwalekeme’s allegation is his claim that money belonging to ex-agitators is allegedly being used to support political mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign. The allegation comes amid reported political mobilisation activities associated with Tompolo, including a recent report that Tompolo donated campaign vehicles to coordinators of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement across Katsina State’s 34 Local Government Areas.

Tompolo was represented at the vehicle handover ceremony by the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Kestin Ebimobowei Pondi. The reported objective of the mobilisation is to support President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. The existence of the political mobilisation, however, does not by itself establish that PAP funds were used to finance it.

That is the central question now demanding answers: What is the source of funding for the political mobilisation, and is there any connection between those funds and resources allocated to the Presidential Amnesty Programme? Only financial records, bank statements, procurement documents and an independent investigation can establish such a connection.

WAS AMNESTY MONEY DIVERTED?

Kwalekeme directly challenged Tompolo to explain whether money allocated to the Presidential Amnesty Programme was being diverted to political activities. He accused Tompolo of allegedly using resources meant for ex-agitators while beneficiaries struggle to receive their legitimate entitlements.

“Stop using the Ex-agitators’ money for door-to-door campaign for Tinubu,” Kwalekeme said. He also argued that President Tinubu does not need money obtained through criminal means. The allegation that PAP funds were diverted into political mobilisation remains an allegation and has not been established as fact.

If such diversion occurred, however, it would raise serious questions about the management and utilisation of public resources. Conversely, if the allegation is unsupported, the relevant parties have an opportunity to produce evidence showing the legitimate sources of funding for the political activities in question.

₦115BN BUDGET, BUT BENEFICIARIES STILL WAIT

The controversy becomes more significant because of the reported increase in PAP’s budget from approximately ₦65 billion to ₦115 billion. The increase represents a substantial expansion in the programme’s overall budget envelope, yet beneficiaries continue to complain about delays in monthly stipends, scholarship allowances and other entitlements.

The situation has generated an obvious public-interest question: If PAP now has a ₦115 billion allocation, why are beneficiaries still waiting months for money meant for their welfare? The increase in the overall PAP budget does not automatically mean that every component received additional funds or that all appropriated funds have already been released. Nevertheless, the size of the allocation makes transparency over expenditure increasingly important.

THE STUDENT PAYMENT CRISIS

The scholarship controversy has added another layer to the crisis. Some PAP students have alleged that they were owed between six and nine months of allowances, with students complaining about difficulties involving feeding, accommodation, school-related expenses and other basic needs.

Tarakirivoice also reported that PAP had acknowledged delays affecting some scholarship beneficiaries. Although payment reportedly began for some students, the question remains whether the outstanding arrears will be completely cleared and when. For students who depend on these allowances, months of delay can create serious financial pressure and disrupt their academic programmes.

THE BIG QUESTIONS

The latest allegations raise questions that PAP management and the relevant authorities should address publicly. How much of the ₦115 billion PAP allocation has been released? How much has been spent? How much is currently owed to ex-agitators and scholarship beneficiaries? How many students are affected by the six-to-nine-month payment delays? Who authorised major PAP expenditures? How much has been spent on contracts and procurement?

The public also deserves clarity on whether any PAP resources have been used directly or indirectly for political purposes. What safeguards prevent PAP funds from being used for political mobilisation? Was any PAP money transferred directly or indirectly to political organisations? Who financed the reported political mobilisation activities and campaign vehicles? Can PAP publish a transparent breakdown of its expenditure?

KWalekeme also called for the resignation of PAP Administrator Dr Dennis Otuaro. He argued that Otuaro should leave office and accused the administration of failing beneficiaries. “I am calling on Chief Dennis Otuaro to resign in peace,” he said, while also challenging Tompolo to publicly explain the allegations.

“I am ready. Anywhere you call me, I am ready,” Kwalekeme declared. He further alleged that he had been targeted because of his activism and previous involvement in the Niger Delta struggle. Those claims of kidnapping or attempts on his life are also serious allegations that would require independent evidence and responses from the persons or institutions accused.

DOCUMENTS MUST SPEAK

Kwalekeme repeatedly displayed documents during his video, insisting that they contained evidence supporting his allegations. However, documents displayed briefly on video are not enough by themselves to establish criminal diversion. The documents would need to be independently authenticated, the accounts identified, the transactions traced and the beneficiaries of the alleged transactions established.

The appropriate anti-corruption and financial authorities have the power to determine whether the allegations are supported by evidence. If the documents substantiate the allegations, the relevant authorities can determine whether any laws were violated and who may be responsible. If they do not, that should equally be established through a transparent process.

THE BIGGER ISSUE

The controversy goes beyond the personalities involved. The Presidential Amnesty Programme was established to address the needs of former agitators and support peace, rehabilitation, training and development in the Niger Delta. When beneficiaries complain that their stipends and educational allowances are delayed for months, while political mobilisation involving individuals associated with the programme becomes highly visible, questions about transparency are inevitable.

The public deserves to know whether every naira allocated to PAP is being spent strictly for lawful programme purposes. If Kwalekeme’s allegations are false, the relevant parties have an opportunity to produce the records and explain the funding sources. If there is evidence that PAP funds were diverted for political purposes, the appropriate authorities should investigate and take action according to the law.

TARAKIRIVOICE WATCH

The key question is no longer simply whether PAP has money. The bigger question is: WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING? With PAP’s reported budget rising to ₦115 billion, beneficiaries are demanding timely payment, students are demanding their outstanding allowances, and fresh allegations are being made about the alleged use of Amnesty resources for political mobilisation.

The allegations against Tompolo and Otuaro remain unproven. But they are serious enough to warrant answers, documentary evidence and, where appropriate, independent investigation. Tarakirivoice will continue to follow the money, examine the documents and report responses from PAP management, Tompolo, the relevant authorities and other parties connected to the allegations.