By Wilson Macaulay, Warri.
The leadership of the Urhobo Ex-Militants Forum under the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Third Phase, has urged the PAP Administrator, Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, to urgently address what they describe as the deliberate marginalization of Urhobo ex-agitator leaders in the ongoing leadership training programme.
In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting at Sun Must Shine Hotel, DSC Expressway, Udu, Delta State, the forum expressed deep dissatisfaction over their exclusion, warning that they may embark on public protest if their demands are ignored.
Speaking at the meeting, General Onoriode Diyo stressed that the continued neglect of Urhobo Third Phase leaders was unacceptable, insisting they must be included without delay.
> “We are stakeholders in the struggle that birthed the Amnesty Programme. If we are not called up for this training, we will have no choice but to take to the streets in protest,” he declared.
Similarly, Ofovwi Clement (popularly known as General Oloye) noted that since the inception of the Third Phase, no Urhobo ex-militant leader has benefited from leadership capacity building.
> “We demand equal treatment. We have not benefited from this particular training exercise, and we deserve the same opportunities given to others,” he said.
General Jedje Emmanuel reminded Dr. Otuaro of his earlier assurances to ensure inclusivity for all ethnic groups in training opportunities.
“We are holding you to your word. You promised fairness. This is the time to keep that promise,” he asserted.
In his remarks, General Bush Prince Efe lamented what he termed systematic sidelining, saying it undermines the unity and objectives of the Amnesty Programme. General Avwebor Jeff Nyerhovwo urged the Amnesty Office to “do the needful” by granting Urhobo leaders the same consideration as other ethnic nationalities.
Rounding off deliberations, General Joseph Akpos Jericho described the exclusion as fundamentally wrong.
> “This is about equity and fairness. The leadership training should not be selective. We, too, have the right to participate,” he maintained.
The forum emphasized that their demand was not for personal gain but to prepare leaders to contribute to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and community development in the Niger Delta.
They called on Chief Dr. Otuaro to urgently review the participant list and make immediate adjustments to accommodate Urhobo leaders, in the spirit of inclusivity, justice, and the original intent of the Amnesty Programme.
