Amb Emeni Ibe Backs Jackrich’s Petition To Tinubu Over 2,000 Amnesty Slots 

Ambassador Emeni Ibe, JP, AP, President General of the Orashi National Congress, ONC, and National President of the Southern Youths Foundation of Nigeria, has declared total support for High Chief Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich, leader of the Niger Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, popularly known as Egberipapa, over his petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the non-implementation of Senate resolutions on Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, slots.

Ambassador Ibe described the petition as “a welcome development that needs to be supported” and called on the Federal Government to urgently address what he termed a 17-year injustice against members of the Egberipapa Camp.

In a petition submitted to the State House, Jackrich requested the immediate integration of Egberipapa Camp into the PAP and the allocation of 2,000 slots approved by the Senate in 2021. He also asked for an independent audit of the programme’s finances from inception.

According to him, more than 4,000 former agitators under Egberipapa Camp have remained outside the PAP framework for 17 years, despite participating in the disarmament process that preceded the establishment of the programme in 2009.

Jackrich recalled that he first petitioned the 9th Senate on April 13, 2021, through the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, over the alleged exclusion and marginalisation of his camp.

He said the Senate Committee conducted legislative hearings and recommended that Egberipapa Camp/NDLF be integrated into PAP and allocated 2,000 slots.

In a follow-up letter dated June 8, 2021, the committee also directed the then Interim Administrator of PAP to explain how funds appropriated to the programme were utilised and provide documentary evidence of slot allocations to various camps.

Jackrich said the failure to implement the resolutions has created “a profound sense of injustice” among the affected former agitators and their families, while placing a significant welfare burden on him as their leader.

Beyond the slot allocation, Jackrich urged President Tinubu to order an independent review of PAP’s slot allocation system. He requested details on the criteria for identifying beneficiaries, the number of slots approved annually since 2009, allocations to recognised camps, and reasons for excluding certain groups.

He also called for a forensic and performance audit of PAP covering funds appropriated and released, expenditure, procurement and contracts, beneficiary and camp allocations, outstanding liabilities, and compliance with procurement and audit laws.

Jackrich warned that continued delay in addressing the matter could have security implications in the Niger Delta, as some frustrated youths might be tempted to resort to “self-help” or other unlawful means.

He stressed that the warning was not a threat to the Federal Government, but an appeal for preventive intervention to maintain peace in the region.

Lending his voice, Ambassador Emeni Ibe said the integration of Egberipapa Camp into PAP is long overdue and in line with the spirit of the amnesty programme.

“The Senate has already made its recommendations. It is time for the Executive to act. Addressing this will promote fairness, equity and lasting peace in the Niger Delta,” Ibe stated.

He pledged the support of ONC and the Southern Youths Foundation of Nigeria for any step aimed at ensuring justice and inclusion for all groups that laid down arms in 2009.