From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
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 review the current management structure of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and revert to its original framework.
In a letter dated March 31, 2026, and made available to news men through National Assembly sources, the group said the existing structure should be replaced with the earlier committee-based model established under the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
MOSIEND argued that the initial structure, known as the Presidential Amnesty Committee, was a multi-stakeholder, committee-driven system that ensured transparency, inclusiveness, and institutional accountability. According to the group, the framework provided balance, credibility, and effective oversightqualities it said are lacking in the current arrangement.
The letter, signed by MOSIEND President, Kennedy Tonjo West, stated that the call for restructuring is not driven by personal grievances or political bias against the current PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro. Rather, it described the appeal as a “patriotic and urgent intervention” aimed at addressing what it termed the erosion of the programme’s founding principles of peace and development in the Niger Delta.
MOSIEND recalled that during the disarmament phase, the programme operated under a broad-based committee that included key national figures such as retired Maj. Gen. Godwin Abbey, Air Vice Marshal Lucky Ararile, former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro, former Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, and former Attorney General Michael Aondoakaa.
It further noted that the committee-based structure was sustained by Chief Timi Alaibe during his tenure as Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, reinforcing collaboration and accountability within the programme.
However, the group lamented that subsequent administrations altered the structure into a centralized, sole-administrator model, which it said has weakened governance and excluded critical stakeholders from policy formulation and decision-making.
According to MOSIEND, the consequences of the current structure include reduced transparency and accountability, lack of credible data on beneficiaries, exclusion of host communities and civil society, weak reintegration processes, and a resurgence of insecurity such as piracy, kidnapping, and youth restiveness
The group also raised concerns over alleged financial mismanagement, calling for legislative scrutiny of the programme’s operations.
While acknowledging federal funding support for the PAP, MOSIEND stressed that financial resources alone cannot address systemic institutional weaknesses.
The organisation urged the Federal Government to restore the original committee-based governance structure, abolish the sole-administrator system, and order a comprehensive and independent audit of the programme’s finances, operations, and beneficiary database.
It also called for the reintegration of traditional rulers, community leaders, youth representatives, and civil society groups into the programme’s governance framework, alongside the strengthening of reintegration initiatives through sustainable employment and entrepreneurship schemes.
MOSIEND further recommended the establishment of a transparent reporting system with periodic and verifiable updates on the programme’s performance.
The group warned that the relative peace in the Niger Delta remains fragile and must be carefully sustained, stressing that the effectiveness of the Amnesty Programme is critical to national economic stability.
“The programme must not be allowed to falter due to avoidable structural distortions. Restoring it to its original framework is not only vital for the peace and development of the Niger Delta but also a strategic imperative for the Nigerian state,” the letter stated.
MOSIEND expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and urged prompt action, noting that timely intervention would help preserve the gains already recorded in the region.
