He said they had not received their allowances
for 2 months, under the Amnesty programme.
“These are groups of people, former agitators
that can turn the nation upside down if their
payment is delayed for two days, they can block
the Niger Delta highways and do more. But for
over two months, they have been disciplined
and calm.” Kuku said.
Kuku, while rationalizing the reasons for the
delay in the payment of the ex-militants’
allowances, explained that the reasons the
militants remain calm is due to the discipline
instilled in the programme while he was
coordinator.
“For me that shows the level of discipline I was
able to instill in the programme and that is what
the present administration is enjoying. We must
not push our luck.”
Stating that he had appealed to the militants to
continue to remain calm, Kuku urged President
Muhammadu Buhari to expeditiously pick his
cabinet to forestall any agitation from the
militants.
“I have appealed to the delegates (the ex-
militants), to be patient with the present
administration concerning the affairs of the
Niger Delta people.
“However, this is a transition period for President Muhammadu Buhari’s government. It is not going to be easy for it to come on board just to announce anybody to run the Amnesty Office. So it will take him sometime.”
Kuku however stated quite emphatically, that he
alone is fit to handle the amnesty programme,
insisting that another person in the office will
result to crisis.
“I have definitely left a big shoe in that office.
If you just bring in anybody, there will be more
crisis.
“So, I think Mr. President is taking his time to look for the appropriate person to replace me so that there won’t be destruction but continuity.
“I think there will be a better time for the programme but I encourage the 30,000 delegates to continue to endure a little while. I think Mr. President respects and adores the Niger Delta people.”
Last week the beneficiaries of the Amnesty
programme voiced their discontent over a delay
in payments.
They complained that those within and outside the country who were meant to benefit from the programme were still left unattended to by Buhari.
In a statement put out in Yenagoa, Bayelsa by
the ex-agitators it was said that the existing peace accord was under threat and a catalyst
for potential chaos.