The Niger Delta Coalition Group, a broad-based coalition of civil society organizations, youth leaders, community stakeholders, and advocacy groups across the oil-rich region, has issued a strong statement reaffirming its unflinching support for the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, while describing recent allegations of corruption and mismanagement as baseless, malicious, and politically motivated.
The group reacting to a press statement credited to an unknown group, Niger Delta Concerned Youths for Change, which had called for an EFCC probe into the activities of the Amnesty Programme under Dr. Otuaro’s stewardship.
At a joint media briefing held in Abuja on Friday the spokesperson of the coalition, High Chief Comrade Preye Ebizimor, strongly rejected the reckless, false, and unsubstantiated accusations being peddled against Dr. Otuaro by self-seeking actors bent on derailing the renewed progress the Amnesty Programme is recording. These allegations are nothing more than a manifestation of pull-down syndrome by individuals who no longer enjoy the unrestricted access and patronage they were used to in the past.”
According to Ebizimor, under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership, the Amnesty Programme has strengthened peaceful coexistence among ex-agitators and host communities. The reintegration process has gone beyond mere documentation to implementing meaningful support systems for sustainable livelihoods.
Tue group hinted that the Amnesty Programme has deepened dialogue with traditional institutions, youth groups, and community leaders across all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, aligning its operations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and emphasizing inclusivity and trust-building.
“Beyond the initial set of captured ex-agitators, the Programme has expanded its scope to accommodate other impacted groups, providing access to vocational training, formal education, entrepreneurship support, and community-based empowerment programs”.
“Dr. Otuaro has restored purpose, professionalism, and transparency to the Amnesty Programme. He is not running a personal empire; he is rebuilding an institution vital to the peace and future of our region,” quoting Chief Clara Ebiwei, a respected community voice from Bayelsa.
The group warned against attempts to politicize the Programme, adding that such distractions could jeopardize the fragile peace and undermine years of progress.
“The EFCC is not a tool for political vendettas. If anyone has evidence of wrongdoing, the law provides channels for redress—not media trials or populist blackmail,” Ebizimor added.
The Niger Delta Coalition Group called on all stakeholders and sons and daughters of the Niger Delta to rally behind the Presidential Amnesty Programme and support Dr. Otuaro’s vision to transform the initiative into a robust platform for youth development, economic inclusion, and lasting peace.
“This is not the time to tear down but to build up. We urge the misguided elements behind these attacks to redirect their energy towards productive engagement. The future of the Niger Delta is bigger than personal grievances.”
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