Chief Emami kicks against sustenance of Amnesty Programme

BEING TEXT OF A PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY CHIEF AYIRIMI EMAMI, ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, APC CHIEFTAIN IN DELTA STATE ON HIS 40^TH BIRTHDAY APRIL 26, 2015 ON THE NEED FOR PEOPLE-DRIVEN AGENDA FOR THE INCOMING BUHARI/OSINBAJO ADMINISTRATION AND WHY IT’S VITALLY IMPORTANT TO DISREGARD CALL FOR SUSTENANCE OF AMNESTY PROGRAMME

Gentlemen of the Press,

There is no doubt that our dear country, Nigeria which only last year celebrated its Centenary (100 years of existence) is on the threshold of history and the election of General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd.) to steer the ship, would not have been more significant considering the current economic down-turn, dreadful level of corruption and teething security challenges.

The Pan-Nigeria Choice of General Muhammadu Buhari/Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, two men of impeccable record devoid of religious and ethnic sentiment, makes the incoming political administration more reassuring and speaks of greater days ahead for our country.

At a time when right-thinking Niger Deltans in particular and Nigerians at large are raising the bar and setting people-driven agenda for the incoming administration, it is most unfortunate, selfish and anti-people for some persons from one ethnic Nationality to be calling on the Buhari/Osinbajo administration to continue with the Post Amnesty Programme for purported ex-militants.

If the layman understanding of the word amnesty is anything to go by, then it presupposes an arrangement where militants who genuinely turn in all their arms and ammunitions are rehabilitated, re-oriented and trained with a view to reintegrating them to everyday societal living. In the ordinary sense of it any person or group that pick up arms in the name of struggle or agitation ought to have been treated as terrorist (s) hence nobody or group should take the gesture of the federal government for granted. Amnesty should not be a continuous/partial giving out of money to youths from a particular ethnic Nationality, sending some of them abroad for training without any visible impact on the Niger Delta and the Nation at large. The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC call for Amnesty sustenance is absolutely unnecessary

Without mincing words, amnesty should be temporal and not a permanent means of draining our Nation’s lean resources. In-fact, the Post Amnesty Programme currently being run should be stopped and thoroughly investigated by the Buhari/Osinbajo administration expected to have zero tolerance for corruption.

What genuine Niger Delta sons and daughters of all ethnic divide want from the Buhari/Osinbajo administration includes but not limited to the following:

1.    Extensive Land Reclamation and Shore Protection of the Coastal Communities.

2.    Construction of low cost housing estates and localization of industries.

3.    Providing a peaceful environment for business to thrive via the implementation of the rule of law, no matter the personality or group involved.

4.    Encouraging Local Content Development and Quest for Merit.

5.    Construction and equipping of schools in the riverine and rural areas.

6.    Improving power (electricity) supply and boosting agriculture with the aim of encouraging manufacturing sector.

7.    An administration that places high premium on educational, skill and manpower development.

8. The incoming administration should as a matter of necessity look into all the anomalies associated with the Ogidigben Export Processing Zone, EPZ cum Delta Industrial Gas City and focus on how it can create employment for the teeming youths.

9. The East-West Road Project should be completed in record time to boost business and commercial activities.

10. The Koko-Ogheye Road in Delta State should be given the utmost priority it deserves, because apart from connecting several economically viable coastal communities of the Niger Delta, it will facilitate riverine transportation and decongest traffic in the Benin-Lagos Road. 

11. The Buhari/Osinbajo administration should tackle insecurity in the Niger Delta Water-Ways headlong, considering the region’s economic importance to the country and should not succumb to any form of intimidation or pressure.

Conclusion:

I want to use this medium to appeal to the incoming administration not to ignore the Niger Delta as a result of the votes declared in favour of PDP in the region. Considering the important roles prominent Niger Delta sons and daughters like Governor Chibuike Amaechi, Governor Adams Oshiomole, former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, APC Governorship candidate for Akwa-Ibom State, Umana Umana, Hon. Temi Harriman, Olorogun O’tega Emerho and a lot of others in the Niger Delta played publicly and behind the scene, including my young friend, Timi Frank towards the victory of Buhari/Osinbajo against all odds.

Prominent Niger Deltans such as Chief James Ibori who would have championed the course of the Buhari struggle in the South-South were jailed in London for political reasons, but we thank God that the journey to a better Nigeria and liberation to all is about to begin.

Fellow Nigerians, you will agree with me that rather than promote parochial, religious, ethnic and personal interests, we should support the incoming administration to place high priority on the agenda above, instead of encouraging wastages in the name of amnesty programme.

Thanks and God Bless

Chief Ayirimi Emami

Ajuwaoyiboyanmi, A.K.A Akulagba of Warri

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