A picture of the impending amnesty terms for repentant militants emerged yesterday.
They were unveiled, just as Niger Delta militants intensified their onslaught on Shell Petroleum Development Company, hitting its Afremo offshore oilfield and two other facilities in Rivers State.
President Umar Yar’Adua is expected to meet with the Council of State (CoS) on Thursday at the State House, Abuja before unfolding the terms.
Some of the likely terms for the militants include immediate cessation of violence, dismantling of the militants’ camps’ stoppage of illegal bunkering, as well as teh surrender of all arms and ammunition.
On its part, the government is offering the discontinuation of the trial of Movement for Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) leader Henry Okah; and state pardon for him and others like the Niger Delta Vigilance Force (NDVF) leader Tom Ateke and wanted militant Government Ekpemupola (aka Tompolo).
Others terms include rehabilitation and engagement of militant youths; stoppage of the current Search and Rescue Operation by the Joint Task Force (JTF); formation of a committee to monitor militants’ ceasefire; nurturing of constant dialogue; and a drive to ensure immediate implementation of the Ledum Mitee Committee report on that Niger Delta.
The invitation to the CoS was sent to all members on Friday, it was learnt yesterday.
A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence told The Nation: “We have received a notice of the Council of State meeting which has been fixed for Thursday.
“The main agenda is amnesty for militants in the Niger Delta. I think a committee has met on these terms; the President only wants our input as past and present leaders.
“Although a few of us felt the President could easily resolve the amnesty issue, the security implications of the crisis in the Niger Delta and its centrality to the survival of the nation made Yar’Adua to opt for a broad-based consultation.
“And do not forget that the Constitution empowers the Council of State to advise the President on such a sensitive matter.”
The source quoted the Third Schedule (6) (b) of the 1999 Constitution to justify the action of the President.
The cited clause in the Third Schedule reads: “The Council of State shall have power to advise the President whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order within the Federation or any part thereof and on such other matters as the President may direct.”
At press time, a source said the Council of State is in for a long session.
Asked if the Federal Government will embrace money-for-arms deal like it did in the past, the source added: “The Council of State will advise accordingly because some members experienced the Niger Delta crisis while in office.”
The President had raised a panel, comprising some Niger Delta governors to work out the amnesty modalities.
To underscore his commitment to the resolution of the crisis in the Niger Delta, the President on June 16 offered to receive repentant militants, who are ready to lay down their arms.
He had said: “I will welcome any leader, in fact, I make bold to say that it will be a great pleasure for me to personally accept the first militant leader, who takes advantage of this amnesty, to encourage others to do so; so that they can have confidence that we are sincere, honest in granting of this amnesty.”
Jun222009