Re-assign Dokubo as Amnesty Boss, Azaiki begs President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised to reinstate Professor Charles Dokubo as his special adviser on amnesty

The advice was given to the president by a member of the House of Representatives, Professor Steve Azaiki – The federal lawmaker noted that unwarranted changes in the amnesty office negatively impact on its duties.

A House of Representatives member representing Yenago/Kolokuma/Opokuma constituency of Bayelsa state, Professor Steve Sinikiem Azaiki has sent a word to President Buhari to re-instate the coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme, Professor Charles Dokubo. Azaiki made the plea while briefing select journalists in his office at the National Assembly on Friday, May 22.

The university don and former Pro-Chancellor of the Niger Delta University expressed his dismay at what he described as the negative impact of frequent and sometimes unwarranted changes in the amnesty office on the objectives for setting up the programme.

Professor Azaiki frowned at the constant changes in the presidential amnesty office. According to him, “there is a reason for setting up the presidential amnesty office and it is only when the head of the office has the time that he will effectively interpret the mandate.

“But what we see is that none of the coordinators is allowed sufficient time before the person is removed. “It is not good for our region. It has negatively affected the impact of that strategic office.

Now that the oil prices are fluctuating, we need peace in the Niger Delta more than ever. “I wish to join other Niger Delta leaders to ask the president to reinstate Charles Dokubo for purposes of continuity and sustainability.”

Similarly, a group, Concerned Niger Delta Ex-militants, have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reinstate Dokubo as the coordinator of the presidential amnesty programme.

The former Niger Delta militants in a statement jointly signed on Friday, May 22 and sent to journalists, said Dokubo’s reinstatement will correct many mistakes made in the past at the presidential amnesty office.

The group insisted that the reinstatement of Dokubo will ensure the continuity of projects already embarked upon by the amnesty office. The statement was signed by prominent ex-militants like Comrade Ubebe Powei Zacchaeus, Comrade Ofeye Alex Kimipamini, Comrade John Seiyefa John, Comrade Joshua Amiebina among others.

In March, the presidency suspended the coordinator for alleged malpractices and set up an adhoc committee to review the operations of the office under Dokubo. The committee is expected to have submitted their report and made recommendations to the president.