Niger Delta: Ex-Presidential Amnesty Programme Spokesman Condemns Calls For Renewed Hostilities

TRACKING____Former Head of Public Relations of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Zion Amada, has condemned calls by some groups for resumption of hostilities in the Niger Delta region.

Recall that about 13 militant groups in the Niger Delta threatened to rescind the ceasefire they earlier signed with the Federal Government’s amnesty programme over what they described as massive corruption in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Amada, a former aide to repentant militant leader, General Boyloaf, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, described the groups as common criminals

He warned that any attempt to bring back violence to the region would be resisted, adding that those who issued the threat were not the first batch of those who started the struggle to liberate the region.

The former Presidential Amnesty Programme spokesman called on the Federal Government authorities to arrest those who issued the statement if hostility resumed and also cancel the amnesty extended to them if they are found to be under the amnesty programme.

Amada described their request which includes the sack of the minister, Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpobio and the dissolution of the Interim Management Committee ( IMC) of the NDDC as selfish, ludicrous and self-serving.

He described those who signed the statement and claimed to be leaders of the 13 groups namely General John Duku for Niger Delta Watchdogs, General Ekpo Ekpo for Niger Delta Volunteers, General Osarolor Nedam for Niger Delta Warriors and Major-General Henry Okon Etete for Niger Delta People’s Fighters and others as unknown names in the struggle to liberate the region.

Amada urged the Federal Government not to discountenance their threat, adding that they are only seeking cheap popularity.

He said: “The reason for cancelling the ceasefire agreement is due to what they consider to be the continued refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to accede to their earlier demands which include the sack of the Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Godswill Akpabio, as well as accused the President of unwillingness to address the nagging issues of marginalisation of the Niger Delta in terms of appointments in the oil and gas sector, particularly the replacement of the Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation

“If any act of violence occurs in any part of the region, these men should be arrested and prosecuted according to the law.”