Prominent elders and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State have publicly clarified that they did not call for the removal of Maj-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (Rtd), the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
They made the clarification at a news conference held on Tuesday in Yenagoa.
Senator John Kojo Brambaifa, a former member of the National Assembly, who spoke on behalf of the group said “It has come to the knowledge of the members of APC in Bayelsa West Senatorial District that in the very recent past, precisely, about a fortnight ago, there is a self-seeking news item making rounds in the media, purportedly signed by amorphous APC Elders forum in Bayelsa State, calling for the immediate sack of Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu as the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”
Brambaifa stressed that the call for Ndiomu’s sack did not originate from the APC Elders Forum in the state. He stated that the purported group behind the call does not exist and is not associated with the party in any form.
“We wish to state unequivocally and unambiguously that there was no time APC Elders forum in Bayelsa State took a decision to call for the sack of the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, as they always form an integral part of the various fora that make up the party in the state.”
Senator Brambaifa also pointed out that the alleged attempt to oust Ndiomu was orchestrated by a self-seeking and non-existent entity, driven by personal grievances.
“The members of APC from Bayelsa West Senatorial District maintain that the present PAP helmsman has created far-reaching impacts in the programme and has contributed significantly to the improvement of the party in the state with the sound reform measures so far taken to reposition the programme that was gradually cascading to a moribund state.”
The APC members from Bayelsa West Senatorial District commended Ndiomu’s efforts, particularly highlighting the introduction of the Cooperative Scheme for ex-agitators. They believe this initiative will promote hard work and unity among the beneficiaries, aligning with the program’s original purpose of rehabilitation and reintegration.
According to the Bayelsa West APC stakeholders, “the establishment of a Cooperative Society will encourage hard work and agitators, which is in common work and deepen the rehabilitation and reintegration of the ex-agitators which is in consonance with the original intention of the programme.”
The Bayelsa APC Elders urged the public and the federal government to disregard the malicious news item and retain Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu as the head of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. They believe that keeping him in the position will ensure the completion of ongoing reforms, fostering peace and development in the Niger Delta region.
