Protest For Ndiomu’s Sack Thickens As Group Vows To Go Naked In Abuja
By Rejoice Egbaseimokumor
Protest for the urgent replacement of the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Maj. Gen Barry Tariye Ndiomu (Rtd) has thickened as some stakeholders under the auspices of Niger Delta Emancipators drops hint on carrying out pending massive protest against Ndiomu over what they described as unbridled inefficiency.
This was made known to newsmen in Warri yesterday via a statement personally signed and issued by Comr. Opuwei Ogelekekeme, President of the Niger Delta Emancipators, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide.
However, Opuwei Ogelekekeme had explained that the group and other critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta region will storm Abuja soon to protest, stressing that people will go naked for Ndiomu, stressing that enough is enough.
The group had particularly called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to remove Ndiomu for a more capable hand in the region who understands the struggle to come in for peace to reign.
The drums of protest continue to echo as concerns rise over Major Barry Ndiomu’s (Rtd) inefficiency in reintegrating ex-agitators and freedom fighters into society and in the smooth operation of the Presidential amnesty program.
The prevailing peace in the Niger Delta, juxtaposed against the conflict-ridden Southeast and Northeast regions, appears threatened by complaints not only of corruption but also of Major Ndiomu’s oversight of the amnesty program’s fundamental goals. This has initiated a cascading effect, drawing attention to the growing discontent, potentially leading some key figures in the Niger Delta to join the protest drums.
Lately, hundreds of ex-agitators enrolled in the second phase of the amnesty program convened in the Bomadi area to devise a strategy, contemplating two options: one, to advocate for an overhaul of the presidential amnesty program by removing Major Ndiomu, whom they accuse of following the path set by the past administration in terminating the program; or two, to return to their creeks where they belong. Operating under the umbrella of the ‘Second Phase General,’ this group has issued a 21-day ultimatum for Major Ndiomu to step down or face the discontent of those who have bore the brunt of ensuring peace, tranquility, and development in the region.
In his statement, Hon. Kingsley Warekuromor, Speaker of the Ijaw Mobile Parliament, highlighted that if Major Ndiomu is indeed following the past administration’s approach to ending the Presidential Amnesty program, it indicates a lack of goodwill toward President Tinubu, potentially inciting unrest in the region.
Similarly, Ezonfade Otus-Kelly, an Ijaw Youth Council Leader from Seimbiiri clan in Delta State, Western Zone reiterated the importance of reintegrating these ex-agitators. He claimed that instead of utilizing the allocated funds for this purpose, Major Ndiomu is redirecting these resources towards lobbying for a tenure extension after the expiration of his acting tenure.
The ex-agitators have pledged to lead a protest, expressing their dissent by promising to dance naked in the streets of Abuja after the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum for Ndiomu to resign.
Their intent is to shed light on what they perceive as a fraudulent Presidential amnesty program under Ndiomu. They plan to perform traditional “ogele” war songs without inhibition, as they feel Major Ndiomu has metaphorically stripped them bare.
Tabai England and Amb. Timibrabo Tevin of the Ijaw Patriotic Group, after assessing the ex-agitators’ assembly, have urged the President to take necessary actions by appointing a qualified leader for the Presidential Amnesty program, aiming to rejuvenate and revamp the initiative.
They expressed that Ndiomu not only fails to comprehend the genuine grievances of these agitators but has also become disconnected from the reality of effectively managing the program.
