The Dr. Dennis Otuaro Volunteer Media Team has noted with great concern the recent baseless and mischievous calls for the removal of the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro. These calls, orchestrated by a few disgruntled and misguided individuals claiming to represent Itsekiri interests, are founded on non-existent allegations of bias and exclusion. We are compelled to address these falsehoods to safeguard the integrity of the PAP and the good name of its administrator.
The central claim that Itsekiri ex-agitators are being shortchanged in the ongoing training programmes is a deliberate and malicious misrepresentation of facts. The current training initiatives are specifically designed for the top leaders and commanders who were the primary subjects of the disarmament phase of the Amnesty Programme. This is a phase of the programme that caters to a specific, documented category of beneficiaries, not the political slots that were incorporated later.
To provide essential context, it is a well-documented fact that at the inception of the Amnesty proclamation in 2009, prominent Itsekiri voices publicly distanced themselves from the programme. They published articles in national newspapers, including the Vanguard, stating unequivocally that they had no militant youths and would not partake in the process. It was much later, through a gesture of goodwill and inclusivity to foster broader peace in the Niger Delta, that 500 political slots were extended to the Itsekiri nation. This was a magnanimous act, not an original entitlement based on the programme's foundational criteria.
We therefore challenge those making these false claims to answer two simple questions for the public:
Where were their disarmament camps and collection points in 2009?
Who were their leaders and commanders that embraced the amnesty and surrendered arms during the critical initial stage?
The truth is that the individuals attempting to blackmail Dr. Otuaro are enemies of the Niger Delta's progress. They are not the true, foundational beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. The Itsekiri beneficiaries of the PAP should be grateful for the consideration they have received, which allows them to be part of a programme they initially rejected.
Furthermore, the allegations of neglect regarding scholarship students are patently false. No legitimate Itsekiri student under the PAP scholarship scheme has been abandoned or neglected by Dr. Otuaro's administration. The only known instance of an issue involved a fraudulent list of names submitted to Novena University without the knowledge or approval of the PAP office. This illegitimate list was rightly rejected by prior administrations, long before Dr. Otuaro assumed office. To attribute this to the current leadership is dishonest and proves the malicious intent of the accusers.
Dr. Dennis Otuaro remains a committed and unbiased leader dedicated to the equitable treatment of all genuine beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, in line with the mandate set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He is focused on repositioning the programme for greater impact and will not be distracted by a baseless campaign of calumny.
We urge the general public and all well-meaning stakeholders in the Niger Delta to disregard these divisive narratives. The focus should be on unity and appreciating the continued support from leaders like Dr. Otuaro who work tirelessly for the peace and development of our region.
Signed, Chief Gen.Inko Brightstar a.k.a Whoknows Tomorrow Coordinator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro Volunteer Media Team
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