Yenagoa, Nigeria – June 12, 2025
In a show of unity, gratitude, and commitment to national peace, the leadership of the Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, led by National Chairman General Elaye Dollar Slaboh, marked the June 12 Democracy Day celebration with a symbolic gathering that recognized and appreciated the efforts of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.
The event, which brought together stakeholders from across the region, also featured the active participation of the National Executive Council of the Third Phase, traditional leaders, youth representatives, women groups, and the National Leadership of the Second Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme under General Salvation Ibanga.
The joint celebration reflected a strong spirit of collaboration and reaffirmed the unity among ex-agitators across the various phases of the Amnesty Programme. The leaders used the platform to thank President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the Niger Delta question and for ensuring continued dialogue with the region’s stakeholders.
President Tinubu’s Responsive Leadership Lauded
General Elaye Dollar Slaboh, while addressing the gathering, emphasized that President Tinubu has shown extraordinary political maturity and leadership by engaging trusted voices from the region. According to him, the president’s decision to work closely with credible stakeholders like High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and the current Amnesty Administrator has made a significant difference in maintaining peace and security in the oil-rich region.
“We gather today, June 12, not only to commemorate Democracy Day but to express our sincere gratitude to President Tinubu for his inclusive leadership style and for recognizing the strategic importance of peace in the Niger Delta,” General Slaboh said. “This peace is not accidental. It is a result of deliberate partnership, continuous engagement, and the President’s willingness to listen to those who know the terrain.”
Administrator Otuaro Praised for Renewed Direction
High praises were also directed at the current Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, whom the leaders described as a beacon of progress. His emergence, they said, has brought much-needed hope to thousands of ex-agitators and youths across the Niger Delta, who had previously felt disconnected from the programme’s vision.
“Dr. Otuaro is not just a technocrat; he is one of us, and he understands our struggles. Since assuming office, he has worked tirelessly to restore transparency, inclusiveness, and proper empowerment initiatives into the Amnesty Programme,” Slaboh added.
The leaders applauded Dr. Otuaro’s swift interventions on issues related to training, education, and empowerment, which have already started yielding visible results.
Niger Delta Icons Acknowledged
The Democracy Day celebration was also an opportunity to honor other iconic figures from the region whose contributions have been pivotal to the peace currently enjoyed. These include Mr. Kestin Pondi, Mr. Godfrey Pondi, and most notably, Tompolo, who continues to be revered as a father figure and guardian of the Niger Delta’s peace architecture.
“Tompolo has always been at the forefront of the struggle—not for war, but for justice, equity, and fairness. He is the bridge between the grassroots and the government. Without him, today’s story would be different,” General Salvation of the Second Phase stated.
A Renewed Commitment to Peace and Unity
In their joint declaration, leaders from both the Second and Third Phase Amnesty Programmes called for continued synergy among all ex-agitators, stakeholders, and traditional leaders in the region. They urged youths to embrace peace and reject criminality, noting that the region has far more to gain through unity and development than through conflict and division.
They also appealed to the Federal Government and relevant agencies to continue supporting the Amnesty Programme with adequate funding, as the peace in the Niger Delta directly correlates with Nigeria’s economic stability and oil production output.
“As beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, we are committed to peace, but we also ask for continued support so our young people can benefit from sustainable empowerment. The Niger Delta deserves to be developed, and we are ready to work with the government to make that happen,” General Slaboh concluded.
Looking Ahead
The event concluded with cultural displays, moments of prayer for national unity, and a resounding call to sustain peace, consolidate democracy, and deepen the gains made under President Tinubu’s administration.
As Nigeria continues to evolve democratically, the commitment from the Niger Delta to national peace and unity—especially through initiatives like the Amnesty Programme—remains a testament to what can be achieved through inclusion, dialogue, and visionary leadership.
