Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Forum Against Niger Delta Exploitation has issued a sweeping demand for an independent, comprehensive audit of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, raising urgent questions about the disbursement of N88.79 billion in stipends, the opaque allocation of beneficiary "slots," and the controversial recognition of former militant camps across the oil-rich region. The group, which describes itself as a watchdog for Niger Delta communities, warned that the scale of public funds committed to the programme demands a level of transparency that has so far been absent, and that unresolved allegations of exclusion and unequal access could ultimately undermine the fragile peace the PAP was established to preserve.
In a statement released on August 9, 2026, and addressed to the federal government, FANDE spokesman General Gboloko said the questions surrounding the Presidential Amnesty Programme had become too significant to ignore, particularly in view of the huge public funds committed to the initiative since its inception. According to the group, records reportedly obtained from the Federal Government's GovSpend platform and analysed by Pointblanknews.com indicate that at least N88.79 billion was disbursed between 2018 and the first half of 2026 to representatives of various former agitator camps for onward distribution as monthly stipends to registered beneficiaries. The annual breakdown cited by FANDE shows disbursements of N3.51 billion in 2018, N11.07 billion in 2019, N7.10 billion in 2020, N15.11 billion in 2021, N12.20 billion in 2022, N12.52 billion in 2023, N15.32 billion in 2024, N8.53 billion in 2025, and N3.44 billion in the first half of 2026, bringing the total to precisely N88,791,131,022.
Gboloko was careful to stress that the expenditure figure, by itself, does not constitute proof of fraud. However, he argued that the magnitude of the expenditure warrants independent verification and full disclosure. "Who received it? Who were the ultimate beneficiaries? How many people were paid? What was the verification process? Were beneficiaries physically verified? Were deceased, duplicate or inactive beneficiaries removed? Who audited the distributions?" he asked. The group also demanded that the PAP publish comprehensive payment schedules showing the camps involved, the number of beneficiaries attached to each camp, and the amounts disbursed. Gboloko noted that the reported expenditure records contain the names of former militant leaders and camps, including those associated with Ebikabowei Victor Ben, popularly known as Boyloaf, but cautioned against interpreting the appearance of any individual's name in expenditure records as evidence of wrongdoing.
Instead, the group zeroed in on what it described as the fundamental issue: the criteria used in recognising camps and determining beneficiary allocations. "Why are some former leaders associated with multiple recognised camps and substantial beneficiary allocations, while other stakeholders say their own camps and followers were excluded, marginalised or denied meaningful representation?" Gboloko asked. He called on the PAP to make public the historical records, criteria and verification procedures used to determine recognised camps and beneficiary numbers, arguing that if the allocation is legitimate, transparent and objectively determined, the PAP should have no difficulty explaining it. "If the allocation is based on historical records, the records should be published. If it is based on beneficiary numbers, those numbers should be independently verifiable," he declared.
The group also expressed alarm over the reported N115 billion allocation to the PAP in the 2026 Appropriation Act, a significant jump from the N65 billion allocated in each of 2024 and 2025. Gboloko warned that increased funding without stronger financial controls, beneficiary verification and independent oversight would deepen concerns over accountability. He further called for an investigation into claims by some former agitator groups that they were shortchanged during the original 2009 integration process and that their followers had remained excluded from PAP benefits. While acknowledging that such claims require independent verification, he warned that unresolved perceptions of exclusion could create fresh grievances in a region with a history of violent agitation. "The Presidential Amnesty Programme was created to end a conflict—not to create a new class system," Gboloko said, urging the government to review the programme, verify beneficiaries and address credible complaints.
FANDE's demand for an audit comes amid growing scrutiny of the PAP's financial management. In recent months, a coalition of Niger Delta agitators had called for an immediate investigation into the alleged diversion of N257 billion reportedly earmarked for members of the Ukanafun Freedom Fighters. Another group had raised questions over a N3.16 billion "ghost-name" scandal in the Amnesty archives. The PAP has also faced criticism from beneficiaries who say their monthly stipend of N65,000 has remained unchanged since 2009, insufficient to meet basic needs even as the programme's budget has ballooned. In March 2026, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to sustained funding of the PAP, but critics argue that without transparency and accountability, increased funding only deepens the opacity.
The FANDE spokesman said the controversy goes beyond individual former agitators or the current leadership of the PAP, arguing that the fundamental issue is the structure and accountability framework of the programme itself. He urged President Bola Tinubu to order a comprehensive independent review covering PAP expenditure, beneficiary database, camp allocations, payment channels, contracts, training programmes and measurable outcomes. The group also warned that a peace initiative created to address marginalisation must not become associated with fresh allegations of exclusion. As the debate over the PAP's future intensifies, the question remains whether the federal government will heed FANDE's call for transparency or allow the programme to remain shrouded in the kind of secrecy that has fuelled decades of distrust in the Niger Delta.
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