Leaders and coordinators of the Phase One ex-agitators in the Niger Delta have strongly condemned the recent attacks on Dr Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme(PAP).
The backlash came after a series of allegations were made against Otuaro on social media, including a viral video accusing him of leaking a confidential document from the Department of State Security (DSS) about former President Goodluck Jonathan.
But the Chairman of the Phase One Ex-Agitators, Henry Binidodogha, in a press briefing in Port Harcourt, dismissed the claims as baseless, emphasizing that the Presidential Amnesty Programme operates independently of the DSS and that Otuaro had no involvement in the document’s release.
The group also criticized the negative references made by Gbaboyor to High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, in the same video.
The ex-agitators viewed the attacks on Tompolo as not only unfounded but harmful to the region’s stability.
They believed the repeated circulation of these falsehoods is a deliberate attempt to damage Otuaro’s credibility and undermine his leadership of the Amnesty Programme.
In contrast, the Phase One Ex-agitators expressed full support for Otuaro, noting that his leadership has already resulted in significant progress.
They explained that under Otuaro 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 Ex-agitators explained.
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.