Ex-agitators in the Niger Delta have condemned the attacks on the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, following a series of allegations made against him on social media.
Leaders and coordinators of the Phase One ex-agitators briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, expressed deep concern over a viral video in which some persons accused Dr. Otuaro of leaking a confidential document from the Department of State Security, DSS, about former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Chairman, Phase One Ex-Agitators, HRH Henry Binidodogha, described the claims as baseless, asserting that the Presidential Amnesty Programme operates independently of the DSS and that Dr. Otuaro had no involvement in the document’s release.
Binidodogha, also criticized the negative references made by detractors allegedly led by one Jude Gbaboyor against an ex-warlord, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, in the same video.
According to the ex-agitators, the attacks on such a prominent Niger Delta figure was not only unfounded but harmful to the region’s stability, as the repeated circulation of these falsehoods amounts to a deliberate attempt to damage the credibility and current leadership of the Amnesty Programme.
The Phase One Ex-agitators expressed full support for Otuaro, noting that his leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme has already resulted in significant progress; and emphasized that, under his stewardship, the programme has been reformed to better serve the interests of its delegates, beneficiaries, and the broader Niger Delta region.
“We are aware that he has brought the Programme home to the Niger Delta people and indeed all stakeholders for sustainable peace, security, and development of our region. Various critical stakeholders have commended Dr. Dennis Otuaro for the noble reforms that his leadership had engendered at the Presidential Amnesty Programme to make the Programme more beneficial to all delegates and beneficiaries and our region.”
The group also highlighted that Otuaro’s approach to the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been both strategic and inclusive, drawing praise from key figures within the region.
They pointed to his understanding of the mandate of the programme, noting that Dr. Otuaro, as a product of the struggle, is uniquely positioned to address the issues facing the Niger Delta.
“We therefore express our support for the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro. We have no doubt in our minds that as a product of the struggle, he understands the mandate of the Programme and the Niger Delta issues very well,” the ex-agitators stated.
The group also took the opportunity to commend the continued support Dr. Otuaro has received from national security leaders, and called for unity and peace, urging all detractors to cease their disruptive actions.
“We also applaud the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; and His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their unwavering support for Dr. Dennis Otuaro and the Presidential Amnesty Programme. We urge them to continue to give the necessary support to Dr. Dennis Otuaro to enable him to achieve the Programme’s objectives.
“We advise Jude Gbaboyor and his ilk to embrace peace and desist from their nefarious activities that are not helpful to the peace and development of our region. We all owe it a duty to work together and support the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, to succeed for the sake of our region.”
