May 23, (THEWILL) – The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Phase 2 ex-agitators have strongly condemned a recent online publication by a faceless group of aggrieved agitators, which issued a warning to the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
Describing the publication as a calculated attempt to distract and blackmail the administrator, the national chairman, Ibena Rufus Salvation, reaffirmed the support of genuine ex-agitators across the Niger Delta for Otuaro’s leadership.
Ibena labelled the group’s statement as misleading and self-serving, stating that “no true beneficiary of the amnesty programme would work against the progress currently being recorded under Otuaro.”
He cautioned individuals making threats under the guise of seeking justice, stressing that no one has the right to disrupt the peace in the Niger Delta. He said anyone with genuine concerns should use proper channels to engage, rather than resorting to threats and blackmail.
He maintained that the Amnesty Programme under Otuaro remains focused on peace, progress, and inclusion, and warned that any attempt to destabilise the region will be strongly resisted.
“We won’t sit back and watch anyone threaten the peace of the Niger Delta for selfish reasons. No one has the right to hold the region to ransom under the guise of seeking justice. If anyone has genuine concerns, the proper channel is dialogue, not threats. Chief Dr Dennis Otuaro is committed to peace and progress, and we will not allow any faceless group to destabilise the gains we’ve made in the Amnesty Programme”, he said.
The national chairman made it clear that any attempt to malign the reputation of the administrator or derail the peace and reintegration process would not be tolerated.
“We issue a final warning to Owoupele Eneoriekumoh Owous and his faceless group, stop distracting the Administrator or be ready to face the law”, Ibena declared.
He highlighted the reforms and transparency being brought into the Amnesty Programme under Otuaro’s leadership, including empowerment, skills training, and prompt stipend payment.
He urged all genuine ex-agitators and stakeholders to remain focused and ignore divisive elements whose only agenda is to frustrate progress for personal gain.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
