Chapter 21 - The Political Economy of the Amnesty Program in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria and Implications for Durable Peace

Abstract

The conflict in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria has defied all previous intervention efforts by the government due largely to lack of willpower on the part of political leaders. Ironically, the conflict during democratic dispensation had great economic consequences on the country when daily oil production dropped from 2.5 million to 700,000 barrels per day. This coupled with wanton loss of lives and properties informed the need to achieve immediate cessation of hostility on the one hand, and on the other hand, to begin a developmental process in the region. It was this craving that necessitated the introduction of an amnesty program in the Niger Delta region. Coincidentally, amnesty succeeded in bringing an immediate truce and returned normal activities to the Niger Delta region. It also assisted in capacity building of the erstwhile militants and people from the impacted area. Amnesty equally helped to bring skeletal development to the region. In spite of all these gains, the amnesty program was also badly exploited to achieve personal benefits by the government, the militant leaders, and the amnesty officials. This, unfortunately, reduced the gains of amnesty, and it is argued to be partly responsible for the reason militant agitation is resurfacing, which is hampering development in the region.