A Niger Delta group, Ijaw Youths Network, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ignore distractive calls by self-styled stakeholders to scrap the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). The IYN said those calling for the scrapping of the PAP are uncomfortable with the story of peace and stability in the region and are not motivated by patriotism and genuine concern for the Niger Delta and, indeed, Nigeria. In a statement signed by its president, Frank Ebikabo, and secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, the IYN said that the call being championed by ethnic chauvinists was designed to distract the new leadership of the PAP and does not deserve attention from serious minds.
The IYN was responding to comments made by Frank Tietie, on national television that the PAP was corrupt and that the agency had not achieved anything despite the money the federal government spent on it. The group condemned the claim by Tietie that only one ethnic group was laying claim to the PAP, stressing that what the Niger Delta needs at this time is not the promotion of divisive ethnic sentiments and the use of same to attack a functional agency making impacts in the region but concerted efforts for development. According to the IYN, the PAP has contributed immensely to the sustenance of prevailing peace in the oil-rich Niger Delta through its well-thought-out programmes.
The group noted that it cannot be contested that several ex-agitators and people from impacted communities are excelling in various sectors of the.
