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Tag: Ndiomu

  • Ex-militant insists Ndiomu be accountable or resign

    Ex-militant insists Ndiomu be accountable or resign

    Former militant leader, Eshanakpe Israel (Akpodoro), has insisted Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Interim Administrator, Major-General Barry Ndiomu, shouldbe sacked by President Bola Tinubu for his ‘opaque management style, high handedness, corruption, cluelessness, recklessness and ineptitude’.

    Akpodoro said no subterfuge can blackmail him into submission as he called on the President to ensure Ndiomu is removed from office.

    The mayor of Urhoboland in Delta State wondered why Ndiomu is agitated by the call to render his stewardship to Nigerians whereas he holds a public office that makes him accountable to the people?

    He stressed the need for accountability instead of sending his surrogates to publish ‘tissue of lies’.

    He noted that a “so called group, National Leadership of Phase 2 Ex-Agitators doesn’t exist but put together by Ndiomu to wage a war of attrition against calls for him to be accountable’’, adding ‘‘Mr Salvation is unknown to Phase 2 Ex-Agitators.’’

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    The Ughelli South Local Government-born said the major-general should open up on the acclaimed training of pilots – training cost, number trained, stipends paid, and scholarship amount.

    Further, Akpodoro noted  beneficiaries should know the budget and how it is expended to carry out aims of PAP.  

    In the absence of these, Akpodoro restated that ‘‘Ndiomu should be sacked,” saying ‘‘the presidency should order Ndiomu to show details of expenditure of his office and it must tally with what the Federal Government provides.

    “We have evidence-based details, and at the right time we shall make it public,” he noted.

    Akpodoro said campaigns of calumny cannot stop Phase 2 leaders from demanding what the Amnesty chief is using the funds for.

    “The programme is not meant to satisfy the voracious appetite of a handful, which roll out their arsenal to defend the indefensible,” he said.

    ‘‘National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, should impress it on Ndiomu to do the needful and if he doesn’t resign, he should be booted out, Akpodro said.

  • Ndiomu mourns Delta monarch Ayemi-Botu

    Ndiomu mourns Delta monarch Ayemi-Botu

    The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd),

    has commiserated with the people of Delta over the demise of King Charles Ayemi-Botu of Seimbiri Kingdom.

    Ndiomu described the death of the prominent monarch in Burutu Local Government as “a big loss to the Niger Delta.”

    He spoke during a condolence visit to the family of the departed traditional ruler in Warri, Delta.

    The statement was made available to reporters yesterday in Abuja.

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    The PAP boss said the late monarch was a lover of peace, who was committed to the development of the Niger Delta.

    He said since he assumed office as the interim administrator of PAP, the late Ayemi-Botu had been a pillar of support, offering very useful advice that had helped in his approach to some issues.

    Ndiomu, who regretted that King Ayemi-Botu left at a time he was mostly needed, said he would be remembered for his good work, particularly in his native Seimbiri Kingdom, where he ruled for an eventful 29 years.

    While urging the family to take solace in God, he tasked them to sustain his legacies, saying the PAP under him would support in any way it could during the funeral rites.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that King Ayemi-Botu, who died on October 5, 2023, at the age of 75, was crowned in April 2, 1994, in line with the customs and tradition of Seimbiri Kingdom.

    He was presented with the staff of office on April 4, 1995 by the then Military Administrator of Delta, Group Captain Ibrahim Kefas.

  • Stakeholders fume over Ndiomu’s ‘inefficiency’, plan protest 

    Stakeholders fume over Ndiomu’s ‘inefficiency’, plan protest 

    Protest for the sack of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen Barry Tariye Ndiomu (Rtd), is imminent, following alleged reports of “inefficiency” by the PAP boss.

     Stakeholders under the auspices of Niger Delta Emancipators gave the hint in a statement yesterday by its President, Opuwei Ogelekekeme, in Warri, Delta State.

     Ogelekekeme said the group and other critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta would storm Abuja soon to protest Ndiomu’s continuous stay in office and alleged failure in “reintegrating freedom fighters into the society and in the smooth operation of the Amnesty programme.”

     The group had called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to remove Ndiomu for a more capable hand who understands the struggle of stakeholders.

     It stated that “the prevailing peace in the region appears threatened by complaints not only of corruption but also of Major-Gen. Ndiomu’s oversight of the amnesty programme’s fundamental goals.” 

    It was gathered that hundreds of ex-agitators enrolled in the second phase of the Amnesty programme convened in Bomadi, Bomadi Local Government to make resolutions on the next line of action to take concerning the developers.

     Operating under the umbrella of the ‘Second Phase General,’ this group had issued a 21-day ultimatum for Ndiomu to step down, otherwise he would face the discontent of those who had borne the brunt of ensuring peace, tranquility and development in the region, The Nation learnt.

     According to a source, the ex-militants contemplated two options, “to advocate an overhaul of the Presidential Amnesty Programme by removing Ndiomu, whom they accuse of following the path set by the past administration in terminating the programme or to return to the creeks where they belong.”

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     A stakeholder and Speaker of the Ijaw Mobile Parliament, Kingsley Warekuromor, said if Ndiomu was indeed following the past administration’s approach to ending the PAP, “it indicates lack of goodwill toward President Tinubu and potentially inciting unrest in the region”.

     Ezonfade Otus-Kelly, an Ijaw Youth Council leader from Seimbiiri clan in Delta State, Western Zone, stressed the importance of reintegrating the ex-agitators.

     Tabai England and Timibrabo Tevin of the Ijaw Patriotic Group, in their assessment of the ex-agitators’ assembly, urged President Tinubu to take actions by appointing a qualified leader for the Amnesty Office.

     They said Ndiomu not only failed to “comprehend the genuine grievances of these agitators”, but has also become “disconnected” from the reality of effectively managing the programme.

    These developments are behind the ex-agitators’ resolve to lead a protest, expressing their dissent by vowing to “dance naked in the streets of Abuja after the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum for Ndiomu’s resignation or replacement.”

  • Amnesty: group calls for Ndiomu’s replacement

    Amnesty: group calls for Ndiomu’s replacement

    A group under the aegis of Ijaws in Oil and Gas (IOG) has called on President Bola Tinubu and his National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to replace the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major-Gen Barry Ndiomu (Rtd).

    A statement by the National Coordinator of the group, Comr. Ebipams Johnny, Momday asserted that the PAP boss is out of ideas to run the Office and his tenure has expired, hence the need for his replacement. 

    Expressing concern that the pattern of corruption that bedeviled the Niger Delta Development Commission was “now unfolding within the Amnesty office,” the group appealed for swift action noting that several ex-agitators are miffed by the development.

    Alleging “incompetence,” the statement said: “The Amnesty programme, led by Maj-Gen Barry Ndiomu (Rtd), has lost its effectiveness in disarming, rehabilitating, and reintegrating former militants and agitators into the society.

    “This has led to dissatisfaction among the youths in the Niger Delta, particularly in the light of recent events in Rivers State and the upcoming Bayelsa State elections. 

    “It is evident that Ndiomu’s interim tenure has long expired, both in terms of ideas and the delay in reintegrating these youths, especially considering the economic challenges in the country.”

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    Continuing, it said, “this is a strong appeal to the National Security Adviser, Nuru Ribadu, and the President to prevent a return to the turbulent conditions experienced prior to 2009, when Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo led other agitators and initiated peace in the region. 

    “It is crucial to emphasize that, given the current economic challenges and ongoing events in the Niger Delta, it would be prudent not to politicize an office that is vital for promoting peace and development in Nigeria.”

    Stressing the need for sustained peace and security in the Niger Delta, especially to enable smooth crude oil activities, the group stated, “it’s imperative for the National Security Adviser, Nuru Ribadu, to take proactive measures by appointing a highly competent individual.”