Over 300 Niger Delta ex-agitators have sneaked into the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for a scheduled protest, The PUNCH learnt last night.
A source disclosed they would hit the streets to protest against the stoppage of their monthly N65,000 stipends, after the appointment of Maj-Gen Barry Tariye Ndiomu (retd.), as the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The mass influx of the ex-agitators comprised of the first, second and third phases of the PAP.
“The Niger Delta ex-agitators have vowed to occupy the nation’s capital for a long term protest if the government does not replace Ndiomu with a Niger Deltan who understands the plight of the people of the region, especially the ex-agitators,” the source said.
Other demands included the immediate suspension of the planned cooperatives by the PAP and restoration of the training programmes, both academic and non-academic.
“Let the ex-agitators take the centre stage in the decision making process in the Amnesty Office, not strangers who do not know the in and out of the struggle in the Niger Delta.
“The protest in the nation’s capital shall continue until all these things are met, before we will leave the streets of Abuja”, the source added.
When contacted, the Special Assistant on Media in the Amnesty Office, Thomas Peretu, asked our correspondent the details and reasons for the proposed protest.
After being told, he said, “I’m in the church now”, and ended the call.
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