The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) strongly urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismiss the calls for the scrapping of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
In a statement released by its president, Frank Ebikabo, and secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, the IYN asserted that those advocating for the programme’s cancellation are merely uncomfortable with the prevailing peace and stability in the Niger Delta region.
The IYN views these calls as a deliberate ploy to divert the attention of the new leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and believes they should not be entertained by serious-minded individuals.
Addressing recent allegations of corruption within the PAP made by Frank Tietie, the group urged the current leadership to remain focused on effectively executing its mandate.
This, they argue, is crucial for sustaining peace and creating an ideal environment for the region’s economic growth and development.
While the IYN acknowledged that inter-ethnic conflicts in the Niger Delta should not take the forefront at this time, they condemn the reprehensible act of using ethnicity as a disguise to attack the PAP.
The group emphasized the need for unity and concerted efforts toward development, as the region has already suffered immensely and cannot afford to be held back by such tactics.
The IYN expresses disbelief that anyone would criticize the federal government for spending N500 billion on the PAP. They point out that the government has also allocated funds to the Ministry of Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Development Commission, and question why these agencies should be scrapped for alleged corruption if that is the criteria for their survival.
The group recalls that during the height of the armed struggle prior to the establishment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in 2009, those advocating for its scrapping labeled the ex-agitators and the Ijaw ethnic nationality troublemakers.
However, they highlight that Nigerians from outside the region recognized the underlying issues of underdevelopment, pain, agony, and frustration that fueled deep resentment in the oil-producing areas.
Generally, The IYN called for unity and concerted efforts towards development, rather than divisive tactics that hinder progress in the Niger Delta and the country as a whole.
