2023: Don’t Come To Niger-Delta – Ex-militants Warn Presidential Candidates

Some ex-militants have warned presidential candidates for the 2023 election not to bring campaigns to any of the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

The ex-militants under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) vowed to disrupt the campaigns of the candidates and their political parties except their outstanding allowances are settled by the federal government.

During a protest to the secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Yenagoa, the militants queried the delisting of 2,952 beneficiaries from the scheme and also demanded the resumption of their N65,000 monthly stipend.

Apart from preventing political campaigns in the Niger Delta, the militants also vowed to take their protests to Abuja.

Addressing newsmen on behalf of his colleagues, the National Chairman of phase two beneficiaries of the amnesty programme, Aso Tambo, said they are giving the government one week to comply with their demands.

He said: “We have all met and adopted our strategy against the refusal of the amnesty office to pay 2,952 beneficiaries. We want them to pay those affected within one week or else we will mobilise and occupy the presidential amnesty office in a strategic manner. If it is not still paid, we will not allow a peaceful conduct of presidential campaigns within the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

“If they feel we are dogs that bark and can not bite, they should dare us and see the consequence. They should consider the monthly stipends important and know that such payment will lead to an unimaginable crises of not paid immediately.”

They also want a review of how those to benefit from the ongoing scholarship programme to enroll 20 persons in higher institutions of learning are selected.