A coalition of original first‑phase leaders of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has called President Bola Tinubu and relevant authorities, demanding urgent action against the Programme’s administrator, whom they accuse of deliberately marginalising the principal stakeholders who bore the risks of the Niger Delta struggle.

Speaking for the group, which identifies itself as the Council of Marginalized Original First‑Phase Leaders and is represented by Gen. Pius Wariyai and Gen. Excel Monday, the leaders allege a sustained pattern of exclusion from consultation and decision‑making within PAP. In a letter made available to the press, the Council said repeated requests for direct engagement with the administrator were ignored and replaced by public statements issued through individuals associated with the Programme’s second phase — individuals the Council describes as “opportunists” and mere beneficiaries who were invited “to come and eat” rather than genuine representatives of the Niger Delta struggle.

“These counter‑publications and the use of second‑phase intermediaries are provocative, undermine trust, and risk igniting avoidable disputes,” the Council said. They argued that such conduct jeopardises the fragile peace and security architecture the Amnesty Programme was designed to sustain, and accused the administrator of weakening the Programme’s intent by sidelining its foundational leadership.

The Council further accused the administration of using its authority to punish dissent. They claim that a first‑phase leader and his camp, who joined others in petitioning Dennis Otuaro over alleged misconduct, were denied their December stipend — an act the Council characterised as an abuse of power and a form of witch‑hunting against those who speak up.

Beyond governance grievances, the Council raised questions about financial stewardship and beneficiary welfare. They noted that, despite a reported increase in PAP’s budget from N65 billion to N115 billion, beneficiaries still receive monthly stipends of N65,000. The Council argues that an increase in monthly stipends to between N200,000 and N250,000 would still leave sufficient funds for programme operations while improving living standards for ex‑combatants and stakeholders.

To address their concerns, the Council has asked the Presidency and the House of Representatives to take the following actions:

- Summon the PAP Administrator to explain the alleged marginalisation of Original First‑Phase Leaders and to account for the Programme’s processes for engaging recognised leadership structures.  
- Explain why beneficiary stipends remain at N65,000 despite the reported budget increase, and consider raising monthly payments to N200,000–N250,000 if feasible.  
- Order a forensic audit of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, with emphasis on beneficiary recognition, leadership engagement, administrative decision‑making, and use of Programme resources.  
- Clarify whether the exclusion of Original First‑Phase Leaders from consultation is deliberate, and provide recommendations to ensure inclusive and transparent governance of PAP.

The Council said it remains committed to peace and national security and appealed for disputes to be resolved through institutional and inclusive mechanisms instead of proxy attacks or public counter‑narratives. They warned that continued exclusion, disrespect, and provocation could destabilise the hard‑won gains the Programme has achieved.