Comr. Tonye Bobo, a former Niger Delta ex-agitator, has thanked the Federal Government of Nigeria for initiating the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, and sustaining it over the years.
In 2009, former President Umar Musa Yar’Adua established the PAP, due to the violent agitations for resource control and self-determination by the people of the Niger Delta.
The agitations, largely undertaken by armed youths of the oil-rich region, caused a significant drop in crude oil production in Nigeria.
Bobo, in a press statement issued to journalists on Monday, said that it was a wise decision to negotiate with the Niger Delta agitators at the time as well as for ensuring that they are well taken care of, trained, and well reintegrated into the Nigerian society.
The former National Chairman of the Third Phase Ex-agitators Forum, also commended the idea of the Amnesty Programme.
According to Bobo, the Amnesty Programme has been one of the best gifts from the Federal Government to the Niger Delta which has long been marginalized.
In his words: “The Nigerian state has not been fair to the Niger Delta people who are like the goose that has been laying the golden egg for all Nigerians to enjoy.
“This led to the arm struggle that brought about the Amnesty Programme by the Umar Musa Yar’Adua-led federal government.
“Today we have thousands of ex-militants who have graduated from reputable higher institutions and are skilled in various relevant vocations. The benefits of the PAP can never be overemphasised.”
The former warlord profusely thanked President Bola Tinubu for continuing the programme and also appointing a fellow freedom fighter, High Chief Dennis Otuaro, to lead the Amnesty Office.
The youth leader equally appreciated Otuaro for his achievements and leadership qualities since his appointment.
“As expected, Otuaro has so far performed up to par considering the fact that he knows the yearnings of ex-agitators and has instituted an effective stakeholder management approach to always reach out to all stakeholders and delegates,” he said.
However, Bobo who is popularly called Sir T averred that for the PAP to fully achieve its core mandate, there should be a considerable budget increment.
According to him, the budget provision is relatively too small for any PAP boss to achieve extraordinary results, expressing that “even a magician cannot perform magic with the current budget.”
He tasked President Tinubu to consider an increase in the PAP budget in the 2025 fiscal year to help the Amnesty Office to do more in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.