𝐈𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐑𝐮𝐟𝐮𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐧𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬

Ibena Rufus Salvation, the National Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Program (Phase 2), has made a strong distinction between “privileged beneficiaries” of the Presidential Amnesty Program and individuals commonly referred to as “ex-militants.” He emphasized that those involved in the program are beneficiaries, not ex-militants, and condemned the use of such terms.

A group of former agitators has also voiced their concerns, vowing to take legal action against any youth groups that misuse the term “ex-militants” while operating under the guise of the Presidential Amnesty Program. Spokesman Timothy Tensibe and Secretary General Abraham Vwaghie Stephen urged security agencies to remain vigilant. They pledged to collaborate closely with security forces, providing necessary information to prevent any attempts by groups to impersonate former agitators or cause civil unrest.

Chairman Ibena expressed the satisfaction of the program’s genuine beneficiaries with the Administrator, Chief Dennis Burutu Otuaro. He commended Otuaro for his outstanding performance in managing the program in alignment with its original blueprint. Ibena also voiced his disappointment over recent unguarded statements made by some privileged beneficiaries and promised to cooperate with security forces to address any baseless protests or claims.

Ibena warned those falsely presenting themselves as ex-agitators to tread carefully or face legal consequences. He further highlighted the Administrator’s competence, noting that Otuaro has handled all legitimate concerns raised by beneficiaries and encouraged anyone with genuine grievances to follow legal procedures and present evidence to support their claims.

In addition, Ibena issued a warning to Paul Johnson, who claims to be the Bayelsa State Chairman, advising him to cease parading himself as the leader. Ibena clarified that elections have not yet been conducted for the Bayelsa chapter, though the Electoral Committee is preparing to announce a date for the elections.