Ex-Freedom Fighters Laud Buhari Over Appointment Of Amnesty Chief

From Amos Odeh, Yenagoa

Former freedom fighters under the aegis of Leadership, Peace and Cultural
Development Initiative have commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of Brig-Gen Paul Boroh (Rtd) as the new coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta region.
Speaking yesterday through their National President, Gen. Pastor Reuben Wilson, the ex-agitators noted that they were hopeful that Boroh would play a key role in resolving the crisis surrounding the region as he is a Bayelsan.
Wilson said, before now, a lot of political jobbers have tried to hijack that position but failed, adding that President Buhari looked inwardly and appointed a credible person to handle the affairs of the region, urging him to try and make sure that sons and daughters of the region studying in various institutions abroad are taken care of.
Wilson also stated that he and the other Niger Delta ex-militants would give their full support to the newly appointed coordinator to enable him work effectively.
Reacting to the cancellation of a meeting of ex-freedom fighters at the Ijaw House recently, Wilson explained that a lot of people wanted the meeting to be postponed because many of them were not aware of it.
He explained that the meeting was not meant to spur any violence but to deliberate on the way forward for the Ijaw nation.
“So many people were not aware. Even the Executive Governor of Bayelsa
State was not aware and the programme was scheduled to hold in the state capital. That was why many people came out to say the meeting should be postponed,” he said.
On his involvement with a socio-political group known as Dickson Support Movement, Gen. Pastor explained that they want Governor Dickson to break the yoke of one tenure in the state.
He stressed that no governor of the state has completed two terms in office right from the administration of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha till date, adding that it is not so in other states.
Though many people believe that his relationship with the senator will affect his affiliation with the DSM, the ex-freedom fighter said Paulker, as a father to him, has not told him if he has any governorship ambition.
“Paulker is not a friend, he is my father. I worked for him as a father and I will continue. But for the governorship, he has not informed me. But if he comes out, I will also give my advice as a son, to see how all of them will come together to transform the state,” he said.