-
Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC) condemns attempts to distort the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP)
-
Olu of Warri advised to submit arms to Delta State government if interested in joining amnesty
-
ICHC reiterates confidence in Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s leadership and fairness
The Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC) has expressed serious concern over statements from the palace of the Olu of Warri via Dr. Shola Mese, who claims to represent the Olu in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
ICHC says these statements misrepresent the programme’s mandate, scope, and beneficiaries.
The centre clarified that the PAP is not an appendage of the Itsekiri Traditional Rulers Council and does not answer to the Olu of Warri.
It is a federal initiative aimed at supporting 30,000 documented beneficiaries across the Niger Delta, without ethnic or sectional bias.
ICHC cautioned the Olu of Warri and his proxies against statements or actions that could undermine peace or create the perception that the PAP is subject to palace directives.
The centre stressed that disarmament is long concluded, and current operations focus solely on reintegration and empowerment of registered beneficiaries.
The statement added: “If the Olu is interested in becoming an Ex-militant he should approach the Delta State government and beg for pardon.”
ICHC condemned Dr. Mese’s claims that the PAP under Dr. Dennis Otuaro is biased against the Itsekiri people, calling them false and provocative.
The centre emphasized that the reintegration phase operates strictly on the basis of the existing list of beneficiaries Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko, and others without ethnic favoritism or political manipulation.
READ ALSO: Michael Johnny Bags Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award of Excellence
The organisation reminded Dr. Mese that his 2024 appointment as Sole Itsekiri Representative does not confer authority to dictate PAP policy or undermine its administrator.
The PAP is a Niger Delta-wide peace instrument, not a tool for ethnic or palace politics.
Led by Apostle Bodmas Kemepadei, ICHC reaffirmed its full confidence in Dr. Dennis Otuaro, highlighting his dedication to fairness, inclusivity, and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The centre reiterated that PAP belongs to the entire Niger Delta, not the Itsekiri people nor the Olu, and its success depends on unity.
