Amnesty Boss Warns Ex-Agitators Against Political Manipulation
Port Harcourt Nigeria — The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), has issued a stern warning to former Niger Delta agitators to steer clear of political manipulation as the 2027 elections begin to take early shape.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, over the weekend, Ndiomu cautioned that any attempt by politicians to hijack the ex-agitators or use them as tools for political violence or ethnic division would be met with decisive consequences.
“The Presidential Amnesty Programme was designed to promote peace, reintegration, and economic empowerment, not to serve as a machinery for political interests,” he declared.
“We are closely monitoring developments across the Niger Delta, and we will not hesitate to delist or sanction any delegate found engaging in activities that undermine national security or public order.”
The warning comes amid growing concerns over renewed political interest in the amnesty structure, with some local power brokers allegedly trying to mobilize ex-agitators as private militias ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ndiomu urged traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth coordinators in the region to resist attempts by desperate politicians to exploit ex-militant communities for selfish agendas.
“Your future and the peace of the region are far more valuable than any token offered during election season,” he said.
Several ex-agitators in attendance welcomed the warning, with some admitting that politicians have begun making overtures through covert meetings and financial inducements.
“We have seen the pattern before, arming the youths during elections and abandoning them afterwards,” said Ebiye Gbaranor, a former field commander from Delta State. “This time, we must act wisely.”
The Amnesty Programme, initiated in 2009 under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was created to disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate militants from the oil-rich Niger Delta following years of unrest.
While the program has recorded notable successes in reducing armed conflict and providing vocational training, it has also faced accusations of politicization and mismanagement in the past.
Ndiomu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to reforming the PAP for sustainability and impact.
“We are shifting from cash stipends to skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, and education. That is the only way to ensure long-term peace and productivity in the region,” he said.
The meeting also discussed plans for new monitoring mechanisms, employment partnerships, and post-training business support for ex-agitators. Ndiomu appealed for patience and cooperation as the programme undergoes structural reforms.
Security analysts have hailed Ndiomu’s remarks as timely, given the rising political temperature in the South-South region.
“The warning is proactive, but enforcement will be key,” noted Dr. Temisan Aboyeji, a peace and conflict expert.
As the political season gradually builds momentum, the eyes of the nation, and indeed the oil industry, remain fixed on the Niger Delta, where peace and stability are non-negotiable for Nigeria’s economic survival
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