COMMUNIQUE PRESENTED BY THE NIGER DELTA EX-AGITATORS FORUM (PHASE 1, 2, 3) AT THE END OF A SUPPORT RALLY FOR DR DENNIS OTUARO, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME (PAP) HELD ON 24TH OF JULY, 2025, IN YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE.
INTRODUCTION:
Gentlemen of the press, we, the NIGER DELTA EX-AGITATORS FORUM (PHASE 1, 2, 3) gathered here this morning to rally support for the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, who since his appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has performed beyond expectation considering the fact that he has been in office for a year and some months now.
We are delighted that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, our modern day Moses in the Niger Delta, has reinvigorated and repositioned the Presidential Amnesty Programme to achieve its set objectives and we were unanimous in passing a Vote of Confidence on him and urge him to continue to provide quality, assertive and responsive leadership.
During the support rally for Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, we expressed our profound gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his thoughtfulness in appointing Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, who is an astute administrator, seasoned technocrat and manager of men and resources.
The innovative and visionary leadership, as well as dedication, tenacity, doggedness and perseverance of Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, has tremendously changed the past narrative of waste to transparent and prudent management of Amnesty funds, accountability and success of the Amnesty Programme.
RESOLUTIONS OF OUR COMMUNIQUE..
1. Nigeria operates a generally accepted constitution which stipulates rules and procedures, structure and powers, rights and freedoms and fundamental principles, which are binding on all citizens.
In as much as it is the constitutional right of every Nigerian citizen to peaceful protest, the NIGER DELTA EX-AGITATORS FORUM (PHASE 1, 2, 3) notes that it has become worrisome and a source of concern to us when such privileges become a means to blackmail, spread falsehood or to embark on a campaign of calumny against a law-abiding citizen of the country like Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
2. To this end, we are very emphatic in our condemnation of the recent protest by a sponsored group called "THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE", which petitioned Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption, favouritism and other crimes.
3. To us, these allegations leveled against Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro are unacceptable, wicked, callous and condemnable. There is no iota of doubt in our mind that these allegations are a deliberate attempt to smear the image of the Amnesty Boss and to distract him and his team of dedicated management and staff, who have been working tirelessly, in synergy with the federal government and other stakeholders to change the narrative in the Niger Delta region.
4. We make bold to say that since the Presidential Amnesty Programme was established by the late President Umaru Musa Yar'dua in 2009 till date, no appointee has been more attacked or blackmailed and castigated like the incumbent Administrator, Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
5. We hereby call on the federal government, including the security agencies and in particular, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to, as a matter of urgency, put measures on ground to unravel the true identity of those who staged the protest under the banner of "THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE" and their agenda as they are not beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Phase 1, 2 or 3, neither are they from the Niger Delta region.
6. We, the ex-agitators in Phase 1, 2 & 3, coming under the aegis of Niger Delta Ex-agitators Forum, boldly say that none of those at the protest, including the spokesman, Comrade Lion Ogori are our members.
Their activity is not only worrisome but portends huge danger to the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta, of which Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro and other critical stakeholders played a pivotal role to achieve.
7. We want Nigerians to know that "THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE" are a sponsored group of people who are clearly playing a script prepared by a cabal of disgruntled ex-militant leaders whose sole aim is to discredit and distract Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
They are not a group of ex-agitators and have no single idea or knowledge of what is going on in the Amnesty Office.
They are only puppets in the hands of a puppeteer, who is pulling the strings and controlling them to stage a senseless protest.
8. Nigerians should not be deceived by what they hear or see from groups like this because the several protests and media attacks against Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, have become the favourite past time of a few idle and confused individuals.
9. We also want Nigerians to know that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro's only offense is that, upon his appointment into office, he cleared the rot in the system by stopping leakages and unwholesome practices being spearheaded by some former militant leaders whose fraudulent activities could have truncated the Amnesty Programme.
10. There is no gainsaying that the only objective of THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE", a sponsored group, is to blackmail and spread lies and evil propaganda against Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
This is why we are calling on all Nigerians to disregard the allegations because they are the figment of the imagination of this group being sponsored by a cabal of ex-militant leaders to tarnish and discredit Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro's indelible achievements and legacy.
11. As ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme, we will not mince words to say Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has exhibited transparency, accountability and prudent management of amnesty funds. It will interest you to know that an audit of the Amnesty Office some time ago showed he has managed funds prudently better than his predecessors.
It's a known fact that before his appointment, the Amnesty Office was characterized by unwholesome practices but since his appointment, the Amnesty Office has been sanitized and repositioned.
12. There are thirty thousand ex-agitators in the database of the Amnesty Programme and we are all paid our monthly stipend regularly and on time. This has, in no small measure, boosted the attainment of the core objective of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's eight point Renewed Hope Agenda.
13. The success of the Amnesty Programme is hinged on Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro's commitment towards promoting peace and stability in the Niger Delta region. He has criss-crossed the length and breath of the region, speaking with governors, elder statesmen, opinion leaders, women and youth groups including beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. Thus, he has given all stakeholders a sense of belonging as we work together for the peace and stability of our region.
14. As beneficiaries, we are aware and in support of the innovative policies that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has implemented since he assumed office. These policies have revamped and repositioned the Amnesty Office for optimal performance and so, the several imaginary allegations of graft, favouritism, and other unwholesome practices should be totally disregarded. Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has been prudent with Amnesty funds, he has been transparent and accountable and the core objectives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme are being achieved and beneficiaries are happy with him.
15. Notwithstanding the support from the Federal Government of Nigeria, we use this medium to call on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Department of State Services and the EFCC to deal decisively with the "THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE" for unsubstantiated claims of corruption which amounts to defamation of character and misinformation to cause harm. To act as a deterrent, the leaders of the group should be invited to provide evidence of their claims and if they fail to do so, convincingly, they should be prosecuted.
16. The NIGER DELTA EX-AGITATORS FORUM (PHASE 1, 2, 3) expresses it's total support for Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, who has steered the Presidential Amnesty Programme towards its goals and expansion of the programme to include impacted women and youth of the region.
We are also appealing to Mr President and the National Assembly not to withdraw the support for Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro and his team at the Amnesty Office to sustain the tempo of growth and development in the Niger Delta region, and assure Mr President of our commitment towards all peace initiatives as patriotic citizens of Nigeria.
Thanks and God bless you all.
Communique was drafted and signed by:
1. General Alhaji Letugbene
Vice Chairman (PAP Phase 3)
2. General Emmanuel Satu
Secretary-Abuja Chapter (PAP Phase 3)
General Asawana Lucky
Leader (PAP Phase 1)
Y was established by the late President Umaru Musa Yar'dua in 2009 till date, no appointee has been more attacked or blackmailed and castigated like the incumbent Administrator, Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
5. We hereby call on the federal government, including the security agencies and in particular, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to, as a matter of urgency, put measures on ground to unravel the true identity of those who staged the protest under the banner of "THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE" and their agenda as they are not beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Phase 1, 2 or 3, neither are they from the Niger Delta region.
6. We, the ex-agitators in Phase 1, 2 & 3, coming under the aegis of Niger Delta Ex-agitators Forum, boldly say that none of those at the protest, including the spokesman, Comrade Lion Ogori are our members.
Their activity is not only worrisome but portends huge danger to the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta, of which Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro and other critical stakeholders played a pivotal role to achieve.
7. We want Nigerians to know that "THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE" are a sponsored group of people who are clearly playing a script prepared by a cabal of disgruntled ex-militant leaders whose sole aim is to discredit and distract Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
They are not a group of ex-agitators and have no single idea or knowledge of what is going on in the Amnesty Office.
They are only puppets in the hands of a puppeteer, who is pulling the strings and controlling them to stage a senseless protest.
8. Nigerians should not be deceived by what they hear or see from groups like this because the several protests and media attacks against Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, have become the favourite past time of a few idle and confused individuals.
9. We also want Nigerians to know that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro's only offense is that, upon his appointment into office, he cleared the rot in the system by stopping leakages and unwholesome practices being spearheaded by some former militant leaders whose fraudulent activities could have truncated the Amnesty Programme.
10. There is no gainsaying that the only objective of THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE", a sponsored group, is to blackmail and spread lies and evil propaganda against Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
This is why we are calling on all Nigerians to disregard the allegations because they are the figment of the imagination of this group being sponsored by a cabal of ex-militant leaders to tarnish and discredit Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro's indelible achievements and legacy.
11. As ex-agitators and beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme, we will not mince words to say Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has exhibited transparency, accountability and prudent management of amnesty funds. It will interest you to know that an audit of the Amnesty Office some time ago showed he has managed funds prudently better than his predecessors.
It's a known fact that before his appointment, the Amnesty Office was characterized by unwholesome practices but since his appointment, the Amnesty Office has been sanitized and repositioned.
12. There are thirty thousand ex-agitators in the database of the Amnesty Programme and we are all paid our monthly stipend regularly and on time. This has, in no small measure, boosted the attainment of the core objective of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's eight point Renewed Hope Agenda.
13. The success of the Amnesty Programme is hinged on Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro's commitment towards promoting peace and stability in the Niger Delta region. He has criss-crossed the length and breath of the region, speaking with governors, elder statesmen, opinion leaders, women and youth groups including beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. Thus, he has given all stakeholders a sense of belonging as we work together for the peace and stability of our region.
14. As beneficiaries, we are aware and in support of the innovative policies that Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has implemented since he assumed office. These policies have revamped and repositioned the Amnesty Office for optimal performance and so, the several imaginary allegations of graft, favouritism, and other unwholesome practices should be totally disregarded. Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro has been prudent with Amnesty funds, he has been transparent and accountable and the core objectives of the Presidential Amnesty Programme are being achieved and beneficiaries are happy with him.
15. Notwithstanding the support from the Federal Government of Nigeria, we use this medium to call on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Department of State Services and the EFCC to deal decisively with the "THE NIGER DELTA CONCERNED YOUTHS FOR CHANGE" for unsubstantiated claims of corruption which amounts to defamation of character and misinformation to cause harm. To act as a deterrent, the leaders of the group should be invited to provide evidence of their claims and if they fail to do so, convincingly, they should be prosecuted.
16. The NIGER DELTA EX-AGITATORS FORUM (PHASE 1, 2, 3) expresses it's total support for Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro, who has steered the Presidential Amnesty Programme towards its goals and expansion of the programme to include impacted women and youth of the region.
We are also appealing to Mr President and the National Assembly not to withdraw the support for Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro and his team at the Amnesty Office to sustain the tempo of growth and development in the Niger Delta region, and assure Mr President of our commitment towards all peace initiatives as patriotic citizens of Nigeria.
Thanks and God bless you all.
Communique was drafted and signed by:
1. General Alhaji Letugbene
Vice Chairman (PAP Phase 3)
2. General Emmanuel Satu
Secretary-Abuja Chapter (PAP Phase 3)
General Asawana Lucky
Leader (PAP Phase 1)
No comments:
Post a Comment