Determined to maintain peace in the Niger Delta region, over 30,000 ex-agitators have opposed the planned protests across the country on October 1.
The repentant agitators, mostly youths, vowed not to allow any protest to take place in the region on October 1.
Speaking through their leaders at a stakeholders’ meeting, organised by the Presidential Amnesty Programme led by Dr. Dennis Otuaro, in Warri, Delta State, they called on the people of the Niger Delta region to avoid protests on October 1, assuring that the region’s challenges would be addressed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The youths disclosed this on Friday at the end of the three-day stakeholders forum held at KFT Hall in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
Earlier in his speech, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, revealed that the Federal Government has awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the East-West Road to a Chinese construction company, adding that work will commence soon.
He urged the people of the region to resist any calls for protests, emphasizing that the peace and stability of the Niger Delta lie in the hands of its residents.
Otuaro reiterated the importance of maintaining peace in the region, noting that constructive engagement with the government remains the best way to achieve progress and development.
According to him: “The East-West Road, a major artery in the Niger Delta, has been awarded to a Chinese company, and anytime soon, they will resume work.
“The President means well for the Niger Delta, and we must support his efforts to bring development to our region.
“The Niger Delta people will not be part of any protest. The problems of the Niger Delta will be resolved by the President, but it is up to us to ensure our region is not used as a base for protests.”
He added: “We have a responsibility to ensure that our region is peaceful. It is in our hands to keep the Niger Delta secure and support the Federal Government’s efforts to improve our communities.”
On his part, a Niger Delta leader, Paul Elvis, popularly known as General Ogubos, called for peace in the Niger Delta region, stressing that war is not the solution to the region’s challenges.
The former militant leader emphasised the importance of dialogue and cooperation in resolving conflicts. “Peace cannot be attained in a place of war. We must understand that violence will only lead to more destruction and suffering in our communities,” he stated, urging stakeholders to prioritise peaceful resolutions to grievances.
“Our people have legitimate concerns, but we must channel these grievances through dialogue, not violence, ” he added.
Elder T.K. Ogoruba, a prominent Niger Delta leader urged the Federal Government to address the longstanding demands of the region to avoid renewed protests.
Ogoruba noted that protests have been a consistent response to neglect since April 1949.
He said: “We must maintain peace in the region, but let’s not forget that protests have been ongoing since 1949. The signs are clear, and protests will continue if nothing changes.”
Ogoruba stressed that the government is fully aware of the region’s demands, which include fair treatment, infrastructural development, and environmental remediation.
He said: “I heard the administrator speak to us. What I came to hear was when he was appealing to all of us that we must maintain peace in the region, because protests are coming.
“Protest is not alien to the Niger Delta. We have protested all our protests, and those are the things that brought about things like the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”
He added: “Our protests have been made, and everybody is aware. So we want to give opportunities to the people the man has appointed to make sure that we get the dividends of democracy.”
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