The Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, has cautioned ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the programme against being used as instruments of violence amid the ongoing constitutional crisis in Rivers State.
In a statement signed by the PAP Administrator, Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro, PhD, ex-agitators were urged to resist any attempt by political actors or interest groups to drag them into the unfolding situation in the state. He emphasized the need for restraint and called on them to maintain the peace and stability of the Niger Delta.
“I am appealing against engaging in violent activities or making yourselves available for acts capable of throwing the Niger Delta into chaos,” Otuaro stated.
The PAP further warned that some individuals might attempt to exploit the crisis for their personal or political gains by inciting unrest. The administrator stressed that the Niger Delta had endured years of hardship and must not be subjected to further instability.
“The region has suffered enough on many fronts over the years. Ex-agitators must recognize this fact and ensure that the Niger Delta is not plunged into further destabilization due to the developments in Rivers,” he added.
Additionally, Otuaro urged ex-agitators and residents to avoid targeting oil and gas facilities or any government assets, warning that such actions would only worsen the region’s socio-economic challenges.
The call for peace comes as tensions continue to rise in Rivers State over constitutional and political disputes. The PAP administrator reiterated that ex-agitators, as ambassadors of peace, have a responsibility to uphold the region’s stability for the benefit of its people and their livelihoods.
