Amnesty Programme Administrator’s Visit to Bayelsa Criticized as Publicity Stunt, Fails to Address Key Issues

The recent visit of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Interim Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, to Bayelsa State has been met with strong criticism, with many describing it as a mere publicity stunt that failed to address the pressing concerns of ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme. Instead of serving as a meaningful engagement to resolve longstanding issues affecting the Niger Delta, the visit was perceived as a carefully staged media event lacking substance and genuine solutions.

For years, thousands of PAP beneficiaries have faced significant challenges, including unpaid stipends, delays in scholarship disbursements, and the absence of sustainable empowerment initiatives. Despite numerous appeals for intervention, the PAP leadership has been accused of neglecting its core mandate, leaving ex-agitators stranded and struggling to survive.

Dr. Otuaro’s visit was expected to tackle these grievances head-on. However, critics argue that it followed the familiar pattern of official visits characterized by speeches, controlled interactions, and a failure to engage directly with those most affected. Rather than confronting the realities on the ground, the visit appeared to be more about optics than actual problem-solving.

One of the most urgent issues remains the non-payment of stipends and allowances owed to ex-agitators, including those from the Asaraba Pillar Camp, Epebu-Ogbia. These individuals, who once took up arms but later embraced the amnesty programme in good faith, have been left in limbo as financial support continues to be delayed or denied without explanation. The PAP leadership has remained silent on the reasons behind these delays, offering no timeline for when the outstanding payments will be settled.

The growing frustration among beneficiaries raises a critical question: How can the government expect to maintain peace in the Niger Delta while failing to honor its commitments? The amnesty agreement was built on trust, and the continuous failure to fulfill its promises is eroding that trust. If ex-agitators who surrendered their arms are left to suffer, the stability of the region remains at risk.

Beyond the PAP’s leadership failures, allegations have also surfaced against individuals within the system who are accused of sabotaging the rights of beneficiaries for personal gain. Hon. Gibson Munalayefa, Commissioner for Communication, Science, and Technology, and Commander of Asaraba Pillar Camp, has been accused of collaborating with corrupt elements in the Amnesty Office to manipulate the system, resulting in delays and mismanagement of funds meant for ex-agitators.

Instead of advocating for the rights of those he represents, Munalayefa has allegedly become complicit in the exploitation of beneficiaries. His alleged involvement in withholding payments and suppressing demands for justice has drawn condemnation, with many calling for accountability and an end to what they describe as a betrayal of trust.

Critics argue that the Amnesty Programme must move away from selective engagement and instead foster open, transparent, and inclusive dialogue with ex-agitators, community leaders, and youth groups. The continued exclusion of dissenting voices only deepens the distrust between PAP leadership and the people it was meant to serve.

The PAP is now at a critical juncture. It must either fulfill its obligations to beneficiaries or risk further resentment and instability in the Niger Delta. To restore faith in the programme, Dr. Otuaro must take immediate action, including:

1. Authorizing the immediate payment of all outstanding stipends and allowances to ex-agitators.
2. Providing a clear and transparent roadmap for sustainable empowerment initiatives.
3. Engaging in direct and inclusive dialogue with affected beneficiaries rather than orchestrating controlled media events.
4. Investigating and addressing allegations of corruption and sabotage within the Amnesty Programme.

Dr. Otuaro’s leadership will ultimately be judged not by the number of visits he makes but by the tangible impact of his decisions. If the PAP is to fulfill its purpose, it must prioritize the welfare of those it was established to support, rather than perpetuating a cycle of neglect and unfulfilled promises.