Fractured Peace: Niger Delta Divides Over Amnesty Programme, Oil Facilities on Edge
By Paul Ebi
Leaders of beneficiaries under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have firmly rejected a recent threat by a group claiming to be Itsekiri ex-agitators to shut down oil production in the Niger Delta, describing the group as unrecognized and not part of the official PAP structure.
The National Chairman of PAP Phase 2, Ibena Rufus Salvation, said the publication threatening oil facilities was misleading and did not reflect the position of genuine beneficiaries captured in the programme’s official database. He stressed that the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, engages strictly with verified beneficiaries, insisting that any group outside the programme’s data system lacks legitimacy.
According to Ibena, Dr. Otuaro has demonstrated capacity and commitment in managing the amnesty programme, and legitimate beneficiaries remain hopeful of expanded opportunities, training, and empowerment under his leadership. He urged all recognized beneficiaries across the Niger Delta to continue supporting the current administration of the programme.
He also called on security agencies to remain vigilant, warning that any attempt to attack oil facilities or disrupt production would be unlawful. Ibena pledged the support of genuine PAP beneficiaries to security agencies in maintaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.
Reaffirming his position, the national chairman maintained that claims of exclusion and marginalization were not coming from recognized members of the programme. He emphasized that the PAP remains focused on its core mandate of peacebuilding, human capacity development, and sustainable empowerment.
Supporting the national leadership, the Delta State Chairman of PAP Phase 2, Solomon Adu, and the Bayelsa State Chairman, Dengo Benin, dismissed the 21-day ultimatum issued by the alleged Itsekiri ex-agitators as baseless and provocative. They stated that no recognized Itsekiri beneficiaries within the PAP had lodged formal complaints of marginalization.
The leaders described those threatening to disrupt oil production as “jokers,” insisting that such actions do not represent the views or conduct of genuine ex-agitators who are beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Their response comes amid earlier reports by Tarakirivoice that a group identifying itself as the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality Ex-Agitators Forum had issued a 21-day ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the removal of Dr. Dennis Otuaro as PAP Administrator over alleged ethnic marginalization and mismanagement.
The forum had accused the PAP leadership of excluding Itsekiri beneficiaries from overseas educational deployments and scholarships, alleging politicization of the programme and diversion of opportunities outside the official database. It warned that failure to meet its demands could lead to protests and disruptions in oil-producing areas.
However, PAP Phase 2 leaders countered these claims, insisting that the programme’s processes are guided by verified data and due procedure. They reaffirmed their confidence in Dr. Otuaro’s leadership and reiterated their commitment to peace, dialogue, and the lawful pursuit of grievances within the framework of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
