By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South

The Niger Delta Advocate for Peace, Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Network, NDAPGGACN,  yesterday lashed out at disgruntled ex-militants allegedly sending death threats to the top management staff of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP.

National Coordinator of the group, Fiawei Pathfinder, in a statement, warned the ex-fighters under investigation by the PAP for multiple accounts linked to one Bank Verification Number,  BVN,   to desist from the criminal act, or face “war” from the group.

 Condemning what it termed a kangaroo protest by the misguided ex-militants against the Interim Administrator of PAP, Major General Barry  Ndiomu (retd), recently,  in Abuja, the good governance and anti-corruption group said it would join forces with security agents to fish the ex-militants from their hideouts.

The statement read in part: “As ex-militant leaders, advocates of peace,  good governance, and anti-corruption crusaders,  who closely monitor the activities of PAP, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and other agencies  initiated by the federal government in the region, we cannot fold our hands, and allow fraudulent practices that have kept the program at a  standstill.”

“Being an ex-militant who the Federal Government had granted pardon does not give anyone the tenacity and audacity to threaten any Nigerian or give room to such a  criminal act, and if caught, the law will take its due course.

“These practices undermine the mandate of the programme, and we cannot keep quiet when supposed beneficiaries are directly involved in an organized fraudulent financial crime of this nature.

“Some prominent Bayela state politicians with corruption toga are the sponsors and brains behind the protest and series of false blackmails to discredit the good works of the administrator, who had embarked on a journey to reposition the programme for effective service delivery.

“Their intention is to take over the PAP office to siphon funds for their selfish interest and fund their governorship ambition now that the governorship election is around the corner in the state 

“Since the creation of PAP,  13 years ago, the region had not witnessed the level of transformation by Ndiomu, therefore,   we will not allow sponsored elements and their sponsors to derail the programme.

“We urge the general public, presidency,  and the National Assembly to ignore and disregard the so-called nefarious staged-managed kangaroo protest by some ex-militants.

“They are disgruntled elements involved in multiple accounts tied to one BVN, as a medium used to divert funds, and we wish to reiterate our support for the investigation,  throw our full weight, and pledge our unflinching support to the interim administrator.

“We appeal to all stakeholders to collaborate with Ndiomu to take the scheme to an enviable greater height for the benefit of all Niger Deltans”, the group asserted.