Youth leaders and stakeholders from various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta are urging the Ijaw ethnic group to abandon what they perceive as an entitlement mentality regarding the leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), initiated by the Federal Government in 2009.
Last month, the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide, issued a warning to the Federal Government against appointing a non-Ijaw as the Coordinator of PAP.
Kufre Emmanson, Coordinator of Gas Pipeline Host Communities in Akwa Ibom State, emphasized that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is not exclusive to the Ijaw ethnic group. He expressed disagreement with the notion that only the Ijaw should be appointed to lead the program, stating that other tribes in the Niger Delta have an equal right to the position.
A self-styled “General” Peter Aghogho, an ex-militant leader and president of the Abuja chapter of the Urhobo Youth Council, highlighted that various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta are beneficiaries of PAP. He criticized the Ijaw’s perceived entitlement mentality and emphasized that other ethnic groups surrendered their arms, making it inappropriate for the Ijaw alone to claim leadership.
Presley Idi, Secretary of Ndokwa National Youth Movement, echoed the sentiment that the PAP coordinator position is not exclusive to the Ijaw. He pointed out that, from the program’s inception until now, only individuals from the Ijaw stock have been considered for the role, calling for fairness and equity in the selection process.
Blessed Ughere, National President of the Urhobo Progress Union Youth Wing worldwide (Ukoko Re’ Ighele Urhobo), stressed that all ethnic groups in the Niger Delta are equal stakeholders in the struggle. He noted that the Urhobos have actively participated in the program to ensure its smooth running but have not received their fair share of leadership appointments.
Amos Etaluku, the immediate past President of the Isoko National Youth Assembly, expressed concern that the Isoko ethnic group has not had its fair share of PAP leadership since its establishment. He emphasized the unity of the Niger Delta people and advocated for the appointment of individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds to lead the program.