By Abel Kolawale

Ex-militant leaders under Amnesty Programme Phase 2  have faulted  the allegations made by purported ex- militant leaders  against the Chairman of the  programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, saying they were baseless, unfounded and politically motivated. In this interview, Delta State Chairman  of the  Amnesty Programme Phase 2, Mr. Kingsley Muturu, warns against  orchestrated attacks on  Kuku.

How is the Amnesty Programme faring?

We  are progressing.  Some of us are still abroad for training programmes and I believe we will  get to the mountain top.

There are allegations by some ex-militant leaders  that some of them under  Phase 2 of the programme  were sidelined by Mr. Kuku. How true is this allegation?

We ex-militant leaders under  Phase 2 are disappointed at some of us who have decided to malign the integrity of one of us who is  ensure  part and parcel of the Niger Delta struggle and who, upon his appointment as Chairman of the  Amnesty Programme, has been  doing his best for both government and the Niger Delta agitators  to  ensure  a successful programme for the disarmed militants. We are also pained that some of us have taken into dirty politics and have decided to avail themselves for politicians to use as instruments against perceived political enemies.

First, we want to make known to the world that the allegations leveled against Kuku at this time of transition were carefully planned for selfish reasons and not for ex-militants. Ex-militant leaders, who are not part of  Phase 2, are alleging that some of our  followers were sidelined by Kuku. We condemn and reject their orchestrated plan to tarnish the image of Kuku whose efforts for the Niger Delta ex-militants can well be attested to by keen observers of the programme. We are aware that many people are seeking the job of Mr. Kuku and they believe by so doing, they would gain favour from the incoming government. It is a pity they have gone astray and awry, denting the image of the Niger Delta struggle.

Kuku never sidelined genuine Niger Delta ex-militant fighters. When we went for the re-orientation training, you would be alarmed to hear that busloads of youths from the Niger Delta stormed Obubra upon hearing about the training of ex-militants there. So, at the end of the training, government discovered that the number of participants increased from the documented figure and we the Phase 2 leaders were called upon to identify our boys. So, after everything was done, those who intruded  were discovered and rejected by government and that is when they took to propaganda, blackmailing Kuku that he sidelined them.

There are also allegations of favouritism and mismanagement of funds against Mr. Kuku

If you as a journalist can look back at the beginning of this programme and continue analyzing the processes and stages to this  moment, you will appreciate the dedicatedness and straightforwardness of Kuku in the execution of the programme. All we know is that the funds meant for our training and upkeep never eluded us apart from delayed payments on some occasions on government part. It is evil to paint what is white black before the public.

Kuku never favoured one person above other. He is a true Niger Deltan who is also at the forefront of the Niger Delta struggle for fair share and who treats everybody equal.

How do you see the incoming government; is there any expectation from it?

General Buhari should beware of  political jobbers trying to set up others to gain political favour from his government. We can see their rampage and scheming in the media; he should beware. He should have an eagle’s eyes to be able to discern those jumping from other boats to his boat with the accusations leveled against others whom they think are Buhari’s enemies.

If Kuku never said he would go home with his boss, I would have suggested that Buhari should keep him, because the Federal Government Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta ex-agitators is well handled by the young man who is dedicated to his fellow agitators; he is a non-violent agitator. I pray that somebody who will out perform his feat should come on board.