By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
The national leadership of Phase 2 Ex-Agitators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has countered the call by ex-militant leaders, Abraham Vwaghie and Israel Akpodoro, for the sack of the interim administrator, Major General Tariye Barry Ndiomu, describing it as “a futile mission by a few misguided beneficiaries.”
The ex-agitators in a statement by the national spokesman, Ibena Rufus Salvation, said that “every genuine warlord and leader both in Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Ondo State are all very supportive of the Interim administrator Maj. Gen. Ndiomu (Rtd), and his leadership style to maintain the already existing peace in Niger Delta region.”
He described Abraham Vwaghie and Israel Akpodoro as privileged beneficiaries from Urhorbo in Delta State, adding that the duo and “their cohorts should stop deceiving themselves to be warlords and show everyone the activities they involved in during the arms struggle in the Niger Delta region.
“We have only one warlord in Delta State who is the person of High Chief Government Oweizide Epkemupolo aka General Tompolo. Abraham Vwaghie and Israel Akpodoro are privileged beneficiaries from the Urhorbo, Delta State, let them show us the activities that made them warlords”, he said.
Ibena commended Maj. Gen. Ndiomu for taking the bold step in paying for the candidates who recently completed their Aviation training, and have also received their licenses and certifications from the sector.
He said, “We all knew where the programme was and where Maj. Gen. Tariye Barry Ndiomu Rtd, has brought it to change the narrative positively.
“This was started and conducted by the past administrators who failed to pay the aviation company since ten years ago. But Ndiomu has done it within just one year in office. These candidates can now be employed and fly any aircraft in any airline company in any country. It is commendable.
“The interim administrator, Major General Tariye Barry Ndiomu (Rtd), has always demonstrated high sense of capacity and determination. He has the charisma, experience, knowledge, qualifications and understanding of the programme more than any of the past administrators.”
While commending President Bola Ahmad Tinubu for his policies and programs in the Niger Delta region, Ibena appealed to the President to confirm Maj. Gen. Ndiomu as coordinator of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme based on qualifications and track records.
He noted that “the privileged beneficiaries threatening to go to the creek do not know where the creek is and have never been at the creek before,” and warned them to desist from any false allegations against the interim administrator.
Ibena advised them to apply legal means “if any one has genuine matters with relevant and reliable evidence,” adding that “President, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, does not need such baseless and unnecessary distraction from desperate politicians.
“Mr President Bola Ahmad Tinubu needs genuine and qualified men like Ndiomu to achieve his good plans for the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large. Ndiomu is the only good thing and genuine leader that has ever happened to correct the abnormalities in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
“I am calling on all privileged beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme and their sponsors to stop calling and making false allegations against Ndiomu”, Ibena stated.
He advised all “genuine beneficiaries to support Maj. Gen. Ndiomu as usual and stand on the already established peace in the Niger Delta region, saying that peace in Niger Delta is peace of Nigeria.”
