Tare Diseimoh has renewed his call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Dennis Otuaro as Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, accusing the administrator of neglecting ex-agitators and failing to adequately address the concerns of beneficiaries of the programme.

Diseimoh, who has continued to speak on behalf of ex-agitators, said the beneficiaries were becoming increasingly frustrated by what he described as prolonged neglect under the current administration of the programme.

According to him, Otuaro has abandoned the core responsibilities of the Amnesty Programme and has instead been moving from one political campaign activity to another, while the former agitators who surrendered their arms under the Federal Government’s amnesty initiative continue to face difficulties.

Diseimoh described Otuaro's leadership of the programme as deeply unsatisfactory and alleged that both the ex-agitators and the original purpose of the Amnesty Programme had been neglected.

He particularly questioned why the monthly stipend of the ex-agitators had not been reviewed despite what he described as a significant increase in the programme's budget.

He said the budget had reportedly increased from about N65 billion to N115 billion, yet the monthly stipend of N65,000 being received by ex-agitators had remained unchanged.

According to Diseimoh, the current economic situation has made the stipend increasingly inadequate for the beneficiaries and their families.

He argued that the increase in the programme's budget should translate into better welfare, training opportunities and other forms of support for the ex-agitators who are part of the government's post-conflict rehabilitation programme.

Diseimoh further alleged that ex-agitators had been denied adequate access to training and empowerment opportunities under Otuaro's administration. He claimed that the situation had left many beneficiaries frustrated, particularly those who depend on the programme for rehabilitation and reintegration support.

He also accused the Amnesty administration of concentrating on the interests of friends, family members and political associates rather than addressing the broader needs of the ex-agitators.

Diseimoh alleged that the programme was gradually being operated in a manner that favoured a particular group or area, describing it as a “Gbaramatu Amnesty Programme” while accusing the administrator of abandoning what he called the original owners and beneficiaries of the programme.

He said the development was unacceptable and urged the Presidency to take immediate steps to examine how the programme was being administered.

“We call on the Presidency and the President to probe the financial mismanagement and handling of the Amnesty Programme,” Diseimoh said.

He also repeated his demand for the removal of Otuaro as administrator, arguing that the concerns being raised by ex-agitators could no longer be ignored.

Diseimoh maintained that the former agitators were already under severe pressure and that their complaints about stipends, training opportunities, welfare and the overall administration of the programme required urgent attention from the Federal Government.

He therefore appealed directly to President Tinubu to investigate the allegations surrounding the management of the Amnesty Programme and determine whether the funds allocated to it are being used for their intended purposes.

The call comes amid continuing concerns among some ex-agitators over their welfare and the implementation of the Amnesty Programme. 

Diseimoh said the Federal Government should listen to the beneficiaries, investigate their complaints and take steps to restore confidence in the programme.

He stressed that the objective of the amnesty initiative was not simply to provide monthly stipends, but also to support the rehabilitation, training and reintegration of former agitators into society.

For Diseimoh, the growing frustration among beneficiaries should serve as a warning to the Federal Government that the programme requires closer supervision and accountability.

He called on President Tinubu and the Presidency to thoroughly examine the administration and finances of the programme, address the grievances of the ex-agitators and take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the Amnesty Programme serves its stated purpose.