Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
Ex-agitators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have stated that no ex – agitator under any guise, nomenclature or auspices hijacked the sum of N320 million in Bayelsa or any other State of the Niger Delta connected or related to the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, as alleged in some quarters.
Leaders of Phase 2 Ex-agitators PAP Forum, in a statement in Yenagoa on Tuesday, also denied threatening to shut Utorogu Gas Plant over the alleged hijack of N320 million and called on security agencies not to treat the threat of shutting down Utorogu Gas Plant with kid gloves, adding that the authors should be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law.
The statement was signed by National Chairman of Phase 2 Amnesty Forum, Gen. Olotu Wanemi, Secretary, Gen Clement Wodo, National Spokesman, Gen. Ibena Salvation, and other leaders, in reaction to a publication by some ex-agitators threatening to shutdown Utorogu Gas Plant over alleged hijack of N320m, said it is worrisome that some self-acclaimed notorious busy bodies not known to any of the strata within the PAP leadership structure would rush to the press to spread unfounded stories just to suit their inordinate desires.
They said: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication by some self-appointed Chairmen of the Phase 2 Ex – Agitators Forum of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, allegedly from Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States with a caption, “N’ Delta Ex – militants petition FG, threaten to shutdown Utorogu Gas Plant over alleged hijack of N320m,”we won’t have bothered to respond to the above mentioned publication but for the mistruth, disinformation and falsehood it has generated in the minds of unsuspecting members of the general public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Presidential Amnesty Initiative has a well-structured leadership organogram. Phase 1 to Phase 3 have their respective leadership structures that is recognized by the PAP office and the Interim Administrator, Maj – Gen. Barry Ndiomu, (Retd), deals with the respective leaderships of the various Phases with respect, candour, humility and high sense of responsibility.
“In order not to sound like a broken record, no camp under whatever name in Bayelsa State purportedly received, collected or hijacked the sum of N320 million as alleged by Gen. Solomon Adu, Gen. London Gbuke and Gen. Julius Belemu from Edo, Delta and Bayelsa respectively. The publication is not only spurious and misleading but vexatious. We demand that the publication should be refuted by the authors within one week; a a failure which legal action will be instituted against them.
“We urge the security and intelligence community not to treat the threat of shutting down Utorogu Gas Plant in Ughelli, Delta State with kid gloves. The Security agencies should be swift in identifying and apprehending them, and let the full weight of the law descend heavily on these ugly characters who are infamous for destructive and diabolic activities against the Nigerian State.
“We can proudly say and without sounding immodest, that the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, under Maj. -Gen. Barry Ndiomu, retd, is enjoying a new lease of life and with a breath of fresh air. Genuine ex – agitators and beneficiaries of the PAP initiative are happy with the present Interim Administrator and we urge President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu to appoint the Interim Administrator as the substantive Amnesty Boss to consolidate on his excellent strides in the PAP office.”