...As They Renewed a Public Appeal To the President, The National Assembly And Other Relevant Authorities For a Full Forensic Audit of The Programme’s Financial Expenditures

The Council of Marginalized Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) First-Phase Leaders, led by Gen. Pius Wariyai and Leader Excel Yerindideke Toriomo, today renewed a public appeal to the President, the National Assembly and other relevant authorities for a full forensic audit of the Programme’s financial expenditures. Speaking on behalf of ninety-seven original First-Phase leaders, they said transparency is essential to restore trust and ensure the Programme meets its stated security and reintegration objectives.

Central to the leaders’ grievances is the unfinished Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) training promised to the original First-Phase cohort. Despite previous assurances that the Programme would complete training and empowerment for First-Phase beneficiaries before expanding to Second- and Third-Phase participants, the 97 leaders say the training remains incomplete — a lapse they describe as a breach of the agreed rollout and a source of ongoing marginalization.

The group also called attention to what they characterize as a troubling mismatch between the Programme’s reported budget increases and the stagnant monthly stipends paid to beneficiaries. They noted public figures showing the Programme budget rising from ₦65 billion to ₦115 billion while monthly stipends remain at ₦65,000, even as salaries and allowances in other government agencies have been reviewed upward. The leaders say this disparity demands an explanation through an independent forensic review.

Toriomo and Gen. Wariyai accused the Programme administration of responding to criticism by deploying loyalists to publish counter-narratives rather than engaging constructively with concerned leaders. According to the council, these reactive communications have deepened mistrust and failed to address substantive questions about resource allocation, training completion and fair treatment of original beneficiaries.

While reaffirming that their demands are not driven by personal interest, the leaders emphasized that their campaign is intended to secure benefits for all affected First-, Second and others ex agitators. They framed their call for accountability as a collective push for equity and the effective delivery of the Programme’s rehabilitation and reintegration mandate.

Despite their criticisms, the council stated that they still recognize Dennis Otuaro as the Administrator of the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty Programme and described him as “one of our own.” However, they urged him to prioritize transparent engagement, address the unresolved ADR training and stipend concerns, and halt counter-publication tactics that they say undermine unity, accountability and the Programme’s core security objectives.