2027: Ex-Militants declare support for Tinubu re-election

Former militants in Akwa Ibom State have declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election.

The Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum also passed a vote of confidence in the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro.

The group rejected recent calls for Otuaro’s removal, arguing that his leadership of the programme had placed greater emphasis on education, skills development, empowerment and the sustainable reintegration of Niger Delta youths.

The position was contained in a statement signed by the forum’s President, Elder Okoko, and made available to journalists in Uyo on Wednesday.

The former militants described themselves as stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Niger Delta peace process, stressing the importance of PAP to maintaining peace, rehabilitation, reintegration, human capital development and economic empowerment in the region.

“The Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum reaffirms its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and his Renewed Hope Agenda. We believe the Niger Delta requires stability, responsible leadership, sustained investment in human capital and continued Federal Government engagement,” the statement said.

On Otuaro, the group said it “strongly condemned recent calls by certain individuals and groups for his removal from office.”

The forum said the Amnesty Programme under Otuaro had moved beyond its traditional focus on monthly stipends to give greater attention to education, vocational training, skills acquisition, empowerment and sustainable reintegration.

It particularly commended the expansion of the PAP Postgraduate Scholarship Programme.

According to the forum, 243 Niger Delta youths were deployed for postgraduate studies abroad in 2026, including 150 recently sent to universities in the United Kingdom.

The beneficiaries, it said, were studying courses including cybersecurity, software engineering, law, global public health, oil and gas engineering, fintech analytics, construction engineering management, forensic audit and data science.

“These investments represent opportunities for young people to acquire knowledge and skills that can contribute meaningfully to the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria,” the statement added.

Ex-Militants Reject Calls for Otuaro’s Removal

The former militants also rejected claims that Otuaro had lost the confidence of stakeholders in the Niger Delta.

The forum expressed concern that some campaigns against the PAP administrator could be influenced by ethnic, sectional, personal or political interests rather than an assessment of his performance.

However, it clarified that its position should not be interpreted as opposition to the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

The group said it respected the Ijaw people and recognised their contributions to the Niger Delta struggle.

It nevertheless argued that no ethnic group should claim ownership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, describing PAP as a Federal Government intervention established for peace, stability, rehabilitation and development in the region.

“PAP is a Federal Government intervention established for the peace, stability, rehabilitation and development of the Niger Delta and must therefore serve the collective interest of the region and Nigeria,” the forum said.

The group further argued that the Ijaw ethnic nationality had occupied several positions in the recent history of the programme and that other ethnic nationalities should also have an opportunity to lead it.

The forum also reaffirmed its support for Tinubu and expressed confidence in the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

It commended Ribadu for his role in coordinating national security and strategic interventions aimed at maintaining peace and stability across the country.

The former militants said the success of PAP should not be measured solely by financial support but also by the peace it preserves, lives it transforms, young people it educates and skills it develops.

“The Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum believes that the success of the Presidential Amnesty Programme should ultimately be measured by the peace it preserves, lives it transforms, young people it educates, skills it develops and the sustainable future it creates for the Niger Delta,” the statement said.

The forum appealed to stakeholders in the region to prioritise peace and development over political, ethnic and sectional interests.

“We appeal to all stakeholders to place peace above politics, development above personal interests and the collective future of the Niger Delta above ethnic and sectional considerations. The Niger Delta cannot afford another cycle of instability,” it added.

Follow Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!