Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
A sociopolitical pressure group under the aegis of Niger Delta Integrity Group (NDIG) has asserted that those calling for the sack of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Man. Gen. Barry Ndiomu were those who had fraudulently benefited from the programme in the past.
The group said its attention has been drawn to a threat by a group of “disgruntled elements who claim to be under the first, second and third phases of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), and have resolved to occupy the Amnesty Office to demand for the sack of Major General Barry Ndiomu (rtd), the visionary Interim Administrator of the PAP.”
A Statement by the convener, NDIG, Dr. BOMA Horsefall said Gen. Paul Johnson and Solomon Adu the two sponsors of the recently publicized communique threatening protest, are fighting back because the new administration of the PAP has stopped their fraudulent practice of feeding fat from the Programme.
According to the statement, it is to the knowledge of the NDIG that while John has been criminally receiving monthly stipends with two separate accounts since 2010, Solomon has been doing the same with six accounts, all linked to one BVN for the same period.
The statement said the duo are now frustrated by the reality that General Ndiomu is out to rid the system of fraud, hence their decision to fight back to maintain the status of corruption they have benefited massively from.
It notes that by the design of the Amnesty Programme, after beneficiaries are absolved, trained and empowered, they are to exit and pave way for others and wondered why the organizers of the planned protest, Paul and Solomon) have both refused to exit the Programme after 12 years.
The NDIG enjoined the Interim Administrator not to be deterred in his resolve to reposition the Amnesty Programme in the interest of the Niger Delta Region and called on those bent on distracting General Ndiomu bury their head in shame, as their malicious attempt to blackmail the highly revered Interim Administrator is already dead on arrival.
