Tension Mounts As Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Plan June 12 Protest Over Delayed Stipends
.......As Take-It-Back Protest Meets Rising Fury Among Niger Delta Ex-Agitators
By Paul Ebi
Yenagoa, Bayelsa State — Tension is rising among beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) following the delay in the payment of monthly stipends, with some ex-agitators reportedly mobilising for a peaceful protest across parts of the Niger Delta on June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.
A voice note obtained by Tarakirivoice from one of the Niger Delta ex-agitators’ WhatsApp platforms called on beneficiaries to assemble at designated locations across several states to press their demands over the non-payment of stipends.
In the audio message, the unidentified speaker urged ex-agitators to gather from as early as 6:00am to 7:00am on Friday, June 12, 2026. According to the message, participants in Bayelsa State are expected to converge at Mbiama Junction, while those in Rivers State were urged to converge at Soba. Participants in Edo State were directed to gather at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) Main Gate, Ugbowo Campus, while others were asked to assemble in Ore in Ondo State.
The planned protest comes amid growing frustration among beneficiaries who say they have not received their stipends for May 2026. As of June 10, many beneficiaries claim the payments have yet to reflect in their bank accounts.
Amnesty Official Speaks
In an effort to ascertain the reason behind the delay, Tarakirivoice contacted an official of the Presidential Amnesty Programme who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.
The official disclosed that the programme had not yet received its expected allocation, which he identified as the primary reason for the delay in payments.
According to the source, “Anytime allocation comes, we make disbursement immediately.”
When asked whether the alleged delay in allocation was affecting only the Amnesty Programme or other federal agencies as well, the official declined to provide further details.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has not issued any official public statement explaining the delay in stipend payments.
Growing Anger Among Beneficiaries
A review of discussions across several ex-agitator platforms monitored by Tarakirivoice revealed growing dissatisfaction among beneficiaries
Some participants called for explanations from the programme’s leadership, while others expressed frustration over the prolonged delay.
Several messages seen by Tarakirivoice included demands for greater transparency regarding the status of payments and concerns about the economic hardship being experienced by beneficiaries awaiting their stipends.
Protest Coincides With Nationwide Democracy Day Demonstrations
The planned ex-agitator protest comes as the Take-It-Back Movement has also mobilised Nigerians for nationwide demonstrations on June 12.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the movement called on youths, workers, students, market women, civil society organisations and other citizens to converge on the Federal Secretariat from 7:00am to protest insecurity, economic hardship, poverty and governance challenges facing the country.
The organisation described June 12 as a symbolic date in Nigeria’s democratic history and said the demonstrations would focus on demands for accountability, improved security and economic reforms.
The group emphasised that its planned demonstrations would remain peaceful and urged security agencies to respect citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.
Uncertain Situation Ahead
With only hours remaining before the planned June 12 gatherings, attention is now focused on whether the Federal Government or the Presidential Amnesty Programme will issue an official response to the concerns being raised by beneficiaries.
Observers warn that prompt communication from authorities could help calm tensions and prevent the situation from escalating, particularly at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with economic challenges and rising living costs.
For now, beneficiaries continue to await clarity on the status of their stipends while organisers of the planned protest insist that their action will remain peaceful and lawful.
