The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, has advised ex-agitators to conduct themselves responsibly in the wake of the constitutional development in Rivers State.
In a statement yesterday, Otuaro urged all ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the PAP to resist any attempt or overtures by groups or individuals, no matter how highly placed, to draw them into the current situation in Rivers State.
He said: “I am appealing against engaging in violent activities or making yourselves available for acts capable of throwing the Niger Delta into chaos.
“I am reminding you of your obligations as critical stakeholders, as well as ambassadors of peace to maintain and safeguard the region’s peace and stability, as well as its safety and means of livelihoods.”
The PAP Office further warned all ex-agitators to beware of some merchants of violence, who may like to make political gains out of tensions in Rivers and use them as cannon fodder to disrupt the peace for their selfish desires.
He added: “The Niger Delta has suffered enough on many fronts over the years, and all ex-agitators should realise this fact and ensure that the region is not plunged into further destabilisation due to the developments in Rivers.
“Importantly, I am asking ex-agitators, beneficiaries of the PAP, and the good people of the Niger Delta not to engage in the destruction of oil and gas and other government assets in the region.”
MEANWHILE, despite the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu, Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, remains relatively peaceful.
Normal business activities are ongoing, and traffic movement is flowing freely.
At the Government House, two police armoured tankers are stationed at the entrance, which is a usual sight.
However, there are hints that security guards at the Government House have been replaced. Sources reveal that military personnel were deployed to the Government House but left early yesterday morning.
As of 10 a.m., military and police vans were patrolling the city.
The whereabouts of Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained unclear, with sources claiming he left the Government House early, while another source spotted him at the Government House around 11 a.m.
