A coalition of Niger Delta civil society groups, including the Ijaw Youth Consultative Forum (IYCF), Ex-Agitators Third Phase, Ndukwa Youth Association, and other key stakeholders, has strongly refuted allegations of financial misconduct against Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
The groups noted this while addressing a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, adding that the accusations are baseless and malicious, describing them as an orchestrated attempt to undermine Dr. Otuaro’s leadership and the ongoing reforms within the PAP.
According to the Chairman and CEO of the Ijaw Youth Consultative Forum, High Chief Ebizimor Preye, the press briefing was convened to address and correct misinformation being circulated in the public domain.
He described the allegations against Dr. Dennis Otuaro as a deliberate attempt by vested interests to undermine his leadership and derail the transformative agenda he has pursued since assuming office. Preye emphasized that Dr. Otuaro remains committed to fostering development, peace, and stability in the Niger Delta region and insisted that unfounded accusations would not be allowed to tarnish his reputation.
“These claims are completely unsubstantiated and lack any factual basis. They are part of a broader smear campaign orchestrated by those who oppose the reforms Dr. Otuaro has introduced,” he said.
Preye underscored Dr. Otuaro’s commitment to peace and development in the Niger Delta, stating that the allegations were a calculated effort to discredit his leadership.
“We are here today to correct the misinformation and outright falsehoods being circulated. These allegations aim to derail the transformative agenda that Dr. Otuaro has championed since assuming office. He remains committed to the stability and progress of the Niger Delta, and we will not allow unfounded accusations to tarnish his hard-earned reputation.”
He stated that an independent investigation by the IYCF found no merit in the claims, which he attributed to individuals who previously benefited from systemic abuse within the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and now feel threatened by the reforms introduced under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership.
Preye, highlighted several key reforms initiated by Dr. Otuaro since assuming office in 2024, emphasizing efforts to reposition the PAP for greater effectiveness. These include the expansion of the PAP Scholarship Scheme, the introduction of new vocational training programs, and enhanced monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability, Vocational training, On-the-Job Training (OJT), and cadet pilots trained in South Africa, Maritime training among others.
Under the education sector, Preye detailed significant achievements, including the deployment of 1,554 onshore students to partnering and non-partnering institutions and 10 offshore students to universities in the UK, US, and Canada.
He noted that 316 onshore students graduated, including 41 from the Nigerian Law School, and 10 offshore students completed their studies. Verification of 1,594 students across 69 institutions was conducted to ensure compliance with PAP policies, alongside facility inspections at six universities, leading to new institutional partnerships. Efforts were also made to improve gender and state representation in scholarship allocations, with a significant number of female students and increased enrollment from Bayelsa, Delta, and Ondo states.
Regarding peacebuilding and conflict resolution, Mr Preye reported that the PAP facilitated key stakeholder engagements in Warri, Delta State, involving traditional rulers and community leaders. Through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), 100 out of 135 conflicts, including data conflicts, stipend arrears, and leadership disputes within ex-agitator camps, were successfully resolved. Additionally, court cases and BVN-related stipend issues were addressed, restoring payments and leading to the withdrawal of petitions from the National Assembly.
Therefore, Preye urged stakeholders and media organizations to reject the allegations against Dr. Otuaro and instead acknowledge the tangible progress made under his leadership. He emphasized the importance of responsible journalism, urging media outlets to report verified facts rather than baseless speculation.
Meanwhile, some student from Baze University captured under the PAP scholarship scheme passed a vote of confidence on the PAP administration stating that their stipends, school fees and all other requirements are paid timely and this has been the best dispensation so far, the students include, Austin Jonah, Seiga Clarkson among others.
