The Afenifere Progressives has called for the restructuring of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. The Yoruba socio-cultural group says the programme does not equitably serve all oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta. It raised concern over inadequate representation of oil-producing communities in Ondo State.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme was established in 2009. It was a response to militant agitation in the Niger Delta. It offered amnesty, stipends and training to ex-militants. The programme was designed around Ijaw-dominated groups. Other oil-producing communities, including Ilaje and Ese-Odo in Ondo, have complained of exclusion. Similar complaints have come from Itsekiri and Urhobo groups. The programme has faced repeated allegations of fraud and political capture. It has cost the federal government billions of naira. Successive administrators have promised reforms. The complaints persist.
The group issued a statement signed by its Coordinator, Michael Omotehinse, and Secretary, Modupe Adedayo. It said there was a need for transparency and fairness in the administration of the programme. It said Ondo’s oil-producing communities should have equal access to scholarships and other opportunities. It said the benefits should not depend on ethnic or linguistic background.
The group plans to petition President Bola Tinubu. It will also petition Afenifere leaders Bisi Akande and Pius Akinyelure, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeeweye Ogunwusi II, and the National Assembly. The petition will seek a review of the programme’s leadership, scholarship allocations and beneficiary records. It will also seek representation for non-Ijaw-speaking communities. The group called for a review of the administrator, Dennis Otuaro. It threatened a peaceful protest at the PAP office in Abuja if the government does not respond. It reaffirmed support for Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Winners: Afenifere Progressives, which gained a platform. Ondo oil communities, if the review follows. Yoruba leaders, who gained an appeal. Losers: The PAP leadership, which faces a review call. Ijaw groups, if allocations are redistributed. The federal government, which faces another regional grievance. Taxpayers, if the programme remains inefficient.
Bottom Line: The amnesty programme was built for one region. Ondo wants in. The group has threatened protest. The petition will test Tinubu’s response. Amnesty is a security programme. Exclusion breeds new grievances. The review is overdue.