By Jimitota Onoyume

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to appoint an Itsekiri son or daughter as the next administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

In an open letter to President Tinubu signed by the president of Voice of Warri Kingdom Women Initiative, Mrs Vivian Mene and the Secretary, Mrs Eyeoyibo Nuke, the Itsekiri group pleaded that, for the sake of justice, equity and fairness, the next administrator of the amnesty programme should be of Itsekiri
ethnic nationality.

According to the Itsekiri group, Ijaw sons of Niger Delta have been appointed into the office seven times, adding that the only non-Ijaw to occupy the office since its creation was Major General Godwin Abe, rtd, from Bini, Edo State.

“Since the inception of the Programme, leadership appointments have been overwhelmingly dominated by individuals from the Ijaw ethnic nationality. The Administrators who have served include Mr Timi Alaibe, Kingsley Kuku, Brigadier Gen Paul Boroh, rtd, Prof Charles Dokubo, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (Rtd) and High Chief Dr Dennis Otuaro (currently serving).

“In the interest of fairness, justice, and national balance, it is therefore reasonable that the next appointment should come from the Itsekiri ethnic nationality,” the group said.

It also said Itsekiri communities substantially produce oil and gas in the country, stressing that several of the communities suffer devastation from oil exploration activities and were even impacted severely by conflicts associated with crisis in the region.

“This appeal is further strengthened by the fact that Itsekiri land produces a significant and strategic share of Nigeria’s crude oil resources, yet the Itsekiri people have not enjoyed proportional representation in key regional intervention structures, including the Presidential Amnesty Programme and leadership positions within related institutions such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

“Beyond representation, the Itsekiri people remain among the communities most affected by the conflicts associated with the Niger Delta crisis. Many Itsekiri villages were burnt, families displaced, and communities rendered homeless, yet adequate compensation, rehabilitation, and sustained government attention have remained limited. Despite these sacrifices, the level of empowerment extended to Itsekiri youths under the Amnesty Programme has not been commensurate with their contributions and losses. Itsekiri communities continue to seek meaningful and transformative empowerment opportunities for their youths.

“Your Excellency, appointing a qualified Itsekiri son or daughter as the next Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme would represent a strong commitment to justice, inclusiveness, reconciliation, and sustainable peace in the Niger Delta. Such a decision would restore confidence among affected communities and demonstrate the Federal Government’s dedication to equitable governance across all ethnic nationalities in the region.

“We therefore respectfully urge Your Excellency to give favourable consideration to the appointment of an Itsekiri candidate as the next Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the interest of fairness, national unity, and sustainable regional development,” the group said.