The Izon-Ibe Global Policy Network, a group of former militant leaders in the Niger Delta, has appealed to the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to sustain the amnesty programme for youths of the region.

The group argued that the programme had curbed youth restiveness in the region.

Its spokesman, Mr Ayubalayefa Dennis, who addressed newsmen yesterday in Benin, Edo State, said the group had benefited a lot from the programme, and urged the president-elect to disregard calls for its scrapping.

He said: “It is imperative that the peace being enjoyed in the Niger Delta is sustained for the economic prosperity of the country because the amnesty programme has doused tension among youths in the region.

“It must be noted that the programme is also part of the struggle toward the actualisation of better life for the people.’’

Ayubalayefa said it was necessary to strengthen the programme, noting that the president-elect had during his campaign promised to usher in a new lease of life for all Nigerians, irrespective of regional or political affiliation.