OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

NIGER DELTA NONVIOLENT AGITATORS FORUM (NDNAF)

10th May, 2019.

His Excellency,
The President
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Aso Rock Presidential Villa
Abuja.

Your Excellency Sir,

OPEN LETTER TO YOUR EXCELLENCY ON THE NEED TO SUSTAIN THE RELATIVE PEACE IN THE NIGER DELTA AND A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON PROF. CHARLES QUAKER-DOKUBO, COORDINATOR OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME

The above group which is an embodiment of millions of nonviolent Niger Delta youths, write to commend and also appreciate Your Excellency once again on the appointment of Prof. Charles Quaker-Dokubo as Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Nigerians and Niger Deltans in particular are aware that a lot of qualified Niger Deltans lobbied for this revered and very strategic office, but out of Your Excellency’s magnanimity and based on intelligent reports that were available, you shocked everybody when Your Excellency graciously appointed Prof. Dokubo who is one of the most renowned and very outstanding Professors in this great country based on his academic excellence and his immeasurable contributions to the promotion of knowledge and in terms of proffering practicable solutions to the control and minimization of the proliferation of light weapons, arms and ammunition in Africa and the West African sub-region in particular.

Your Excellency is aware of the enormous challenges that were associated with the very strategic Presidential Amnesty Office especially complaints about non-payments of Stipends to Beneficiaries, non-payments of Vendors, Contractors and the issue of non-mobilization and training of ex-Agitators and the daily unpleasant tales and news about the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

But the above have all become history because of the proactive nature and disposition of Prof. Dokubo who has gone extra mile to ensuring he does not fail, disappoint or betray the confidence Your Excellency has reposed on him. It is a fact that since his appointment, beside the issue of prompt and regular payment of monthly Stipends, payment of vendors and contractors and mobilization of our great youths for various training and empowerment programmes, Prof. Dokubo has introduced a lot of new and very impactful programmes. He has also prioritized the completion of projects that were initiated by his predecessors. It is public knowledge that he has completed and also commissioned many of such projects. He has also built and equipped a world class Vocational Training Centre in Ondo State.

It is however unfortunate that like the fight against corruption by this present administration that is fighting back, a lot of people who initially personalized the Presidential Amnesty Programme before the appointment of Prof. Dokubo, are not happy with his style of leadership and administration especially the opening up of the office to everybody, a gesture that has attracted unprecedented goodwill and support for the APC and the Federal Government but on the other hand pitched him against the few persons who are claiming ownership of the programme.

Before now, the Presidential Amnesty Programme was the exclusive preserve of few persons. The above is responsible for the conspiracy and strong determination by these very persons to remove Prof. Dokubo by all means. It is for these reasons that they are cooking up all kinds of false stories about the Presidential Amnesty Programme to create the negative impression on the minds of unsuspecting and gullible Nigerians.

As an embodiment of millions of nonviolent Niger Delta youths, we have taken upon ourselves the responsibility of investigating the administration of that very sensitive office and we have realized that those who are claiming sole ownership of the programme are not happy with the expansion and accommodation of thousands of other Niger Delta youths by the reformational and transformational leadership of Prof. Dokubo who is very humble, passionate and committed to his duties and responsibilities.

One of the greatest evidences of the success story and positive impacts of the Prof. Dokubo administration is the relative peace enjoyed in the Niger Delta which has helped to stabilize crude oil and gas production. This has been made possible because of the humility of Prof. Dokubo who is reaching out to so many stakeholders.

As we thank Your Excellency once again for finding him worthy for this herculean task and responsibility, we also use this rare opportunity to pass A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE ON PROF. CHARLES QUAKER- DOKUBO and his outstanding Team. It is our fervent prayer and humble appeal that Your Excellency will graciously extend his tenure in office so that he will continue to consolidate on his very remarkable works and achievements which has translated to a lot of goodwill to the federal government under your able stewardship.

It is also our humble desire that Your Excellency will give this letter the needed urgent attention it deserves, while reassuring Your Excellency of our maximum support.

Yours in the struggle,

COMRADE BENNETH EMMANUEL
Secretary General

COMRADE WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI
President