Former agitators under the auspices of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum (NDEAF) have backed down on their initial plans to embark on a protest against the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (retd).
Rather, the ex-agitators, a few days after issuing a notice of protest, they reconvened in Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday; reviewed their positions and decided to support Dikio’s efforts to reform the Amnesty Programme.
National President of NDEAF, Godwin Seiha, said persons, who issued the notice of protest were not the real leaders of the forum, saying they did so out of ignorance.
He said after the real leaders met with the aggrieved members, who were only agitating to be included in the Amnesty Programme, they resolved their differences and withdrew the notice.
He said they were further convinced to support Dikio following his ongoing reforms at PAP, timely payment of monthly stipends to ex-agitators, empowerment programmes for beneficiaries and his disposition for the peace of the region, among others.
He said, “Therefore, the entire members of NDEAF are overwhelmed and hereby pass a vote of confidence in Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd.) for his excellent administrative skills and acumen to restructure the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the good of the Niger Delta people.
“Moreover, we call on the Presidency, as a matter of urgency, to release adequate funds to the Presidential Amnesty office to enable Dikio implement his good vision without delay for sustainable peace and development of the Niger Delta region”, he said.
Seigha said the Federal Government should give adequate financial attention to PAP and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) the same way it had prioritised the North-East Development Agency.
He said the region was in an urgent need of massive programmes and projects for speedy development, considering its contributions to the economy of the country.
He urged all leaders of ex-agitators to be patient and cooperate with Dikio to accomplish his visions for PAP.
Seigha, however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari, to make Dikio the substantive coordinator of PAP to give him full powers to actualise the mandate of PAP in the interest of the Niger Delta and the country.