Ex-militants threaten oil shutdown over amnesty programme exclusion

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Ex-Niger Delta agitators have threatened to shut down oil facilities across the region in the coming days over alleged marginalisation, lack of transparency and unfair treatment in the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The former militants, operating under the umbrella of the Marginalised Original First-Phase Leaders of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, also called on the Federal Government to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the scheme, alleging widespread exclusion and favouritism.

In a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the group accused the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, of sidelining those who initially embraced the amnesty deal in 2009 in the interest of peace and economic stability.

But the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Igoniko Oduma, denied the allegations, saying nobody was marginalised.

“Let me say it clearly, nobody is marginalised,” he said.

The petition, signed by Excel Toriomo, Pius Wariyai and Ideye Granville, stated that the ex-agitators had resolved to stage a protest in Abuja before proceeding to shut down oil facilities if their demands were ignored.

Addressing journalists in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital on Friday, the group said it had formally notified the Federal Capital Territory Police Command of its intention to protest to avoid a return to violence in the Niger Delta. They said, “We, the Marginalised Original First-Phase Leaders of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, humbly appeal to your excellency to intervene in the persistent marginalisation and exclusion.

“Our advocacy for transparency, accountability, and fairness has led to victimisation, denial of our rightful place in the programme. We demand an end to victimization and marginalization. Our struggle for fairness and transparency is rooted in the Niger Delta’s quest for peace and development.