Political Economy of Presidential Amnesty Programme and Its Impact on Militant Activities in The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Nigeria has earned US$3.6 trillion from the sales of crude hydrocarbon (petroleum) since 1958 when crude oil was discovered in Bayelsa State in southern Nigeria. Records show that proceeds from crude oil sale have not translated into sustainable development in the oil-bearing communities. When peaceful and non-violent protest failed, youths of the Niger Delta region took to violent protest resulting to militancy and subsequently its hindrance to socio-economic development and political stability. Thus, creating the conditions that altered existing social order in the area. In order to curb this menace, Presidential Amnesty Programme was initiated and established in 2008 to provide opportunity for genuine resolution of the contending issues and restoration of stability in the region. The primary objective of the study was to establish the nexus between Presidential Amnesty Programme and the increase in activities of the militants in Niger Delta. Political economy approach was utilized to explain capitalist relations, resource extraction and class conflict taking place in the area. The study used a sample population of 450 drawn from the study population comprising three states in the Niger Delta region, did focus group and used archival document. The study revealed the relationship between the amnesty programme and the increase of militancy in the Niger Delta region. The study recommends the need to engage those not covered in the initial phase of the programme and other stakeholders considering the Petroleum Industry Act and design a bottom-top development blueprint for the area