From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
Foremost Socio-cultural organization in the Niger Delta region, the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and members of the National Assembly to take a close review of the management structure of the Presidential Amnesty Programme with a view to reverting to the original management structure as established by the late Musa Yar’dua administration.
According to MOSIEND, the original management structure, tagged Presidential Amnesty Committee, implemented under Late President Yar’Adua provides for a multi-stakeholder, committee-driven structure that ensured transparency, inclusiveness, and institutional accountability which provided balance, credibility, and effective oversight unlike the
structure now in place.
MOSIEND, in a letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, dated 31st of March,2026 and made available to newsmen by National Assembly sources, said though the proposed call for review of the management status is not driven by any personal grudge or political witch-hunt of the current Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, “rather it is, a patriotic and urgent call, borne out of deep concern over the steady erosion of the Programme’s founding principles, peace and development of the people of the Niger Delta”
The letter by MOSIEND, was signed by its President,Dr. Kennedy Tonjo West, declaring that the review of the present structure is a strategic
imperative for the Nigerian state.
According to MOSIEND, “We want the gains recorded to stand the test of time. Central to the success recorded at the commencement was its original governance design, a multi-stakeholder, committee-driven structure that
ensured transparency, inclusiveness, and institutional accountability, This
structure provided balance, credibility, and effective oversight unlike the structure now in place.”
“At the disarmament phase, the initial governance structure had the following: 1). Maj. Gen. Godwin Abbey (Rtd.), then Minister of Defence, as Chairman, 2.) Air Vice Marshal Lucky Ararile as Coordinator 3.) Mr. Mike Okiro (then IG of Police) Member of the Committee 4.) Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike (then Chief of Defence Staff). ” 5.) Chief Michael Aondoakaa (then Attorney General and Min. of Justice) ”
“After the disarmament phase, Chief Timi Alaibe on assumption as Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, sustained the existing committee-based framework, reinforcing its collaborative and accountable character.”
” However, this foundational framework was altered under successive government resulting in a centralized administrative model that is now in place, akin to a Sole Administrator, that has significantly weakened the institutional governance and excluded critical stakeholders from participating at the policy formulation and decision-making stages, a key ingredient of the committee model.”
“The change marked a clear departure from the Programme’s original design. Since then, MOSIEND and other Niger Delta stakeholders have consistently
called for a return to the original structure. Regrettably, those calls have remained largely unattended.”
“Today, the consequences are difficult to ignore, they include: Erosion of transparency and accountability; Lack of credible, verifiable data on beneficiaries and outcomes; Exclusion of host communities, traditional institutions, and civil societies in policy and decision making;
Weak and inconsistent reintegration pathways; Resurgence of insecurity, including sea piracy, kidnapping, and youth restiveness; Persistent allegations of financial mismanagement, necessitating legislative scrutiny.”
“Your Excellency, while we acknowledge and commend allocated to the Programme, we respectfully submit that funding alone cannot fix a faulty and weakened system when the challenge is not merely financial but
institutional.”
The MOSIEND however urged President Bola Tinubu,National Security Adviser and members of the National Assembly, in the interest of national security, economic stability, and sustainable peace to restore the original committee-based governance structure to ensure inclusiveness, transparency, and accountability.
“Abolish the current sole-administrator system, which has proven counter
productive and inconsistent with the founding intention of the Programme. 3. Order a comprehensive and independent audit of the Programme’s finances, operations, and beneficiary database.”
“Reintegrate critical stakeholders, including traditional rulers, community leaders, youth representatives, and civil society, into governance and oversight. Strengthen reintegration frameworks through sustainable employment, entrepreneurship, and livelihood initiatives.”
” Establish a transparent reporting mechanism with periodic, verifiable updates on Programme performance. Your Excellency, the Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic survival
and national stability. The relative peace in the region is fragile, and it must be carefully sustained.”
“The Programme must not be allowed to falter due to avoidable structural distortions. Restoring it to its original, well-considered framework is not only key to the peace and development of the people of the Niger Delta, it is a strategic imperative for the Nigerian state.”
” We trust in your leadership and your commitment to national unity, equity, and sustainable development. We urge that you take timely and decisive action. A stitch in time, indeed, saves nine. Please accept as always, the assurances of our utmost respect.”
“We trust in your leadership and your commitment to national unity, equity, and sustainable development. We urge that you take timely and decisive action. A stitch in time, indeed, saves nine.”
