Niger Delta civil society groups including the Ijaw Youth Consultative Forum, Ex-Agitators Third Phase, Ndukwa Youth Association and other stakeholders have condemned allegations made against Chief Dennis Otuaro, the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), urging tjose involved to stop the pulldown syndrome.
The spokesman, High Chief Ebizimor Preye Raphael, the chairman/CEO of the Ijaw Youth Consultative Forum (IYCF), stated that the allegations represented a desperate attempt to derail the progress made by the PAP under Chief Otuaro’s leadership.
He described the allegations as baseless and misleading, asserting that Chief Otuaro had never been involved in nepotism, favouritism or financial mismanagement.
According to him, the PAP has made significant strides in promoting peace, stability, and economic empowerment in the Niger Delta region, and these allegations are aimed at undermining these efforts.
“We have gathered here today to correct the misinformation and outright falsehoods being circulated in the public domain. These allegations, which seek to undermine the integrity and leadership of Dr Otuaro, are nothing more than a desperate attempt by vested interests to derail the transformative agenda he has championed since assuming office. Dr Otuaro has remained steadfast in his commitment to the development, peace, and stability of the Niger Delta region, and we will not allow unfounded accusations to tarnish his hard-earned reputation.
“We call on the general public, stakeholders, and media organisations to reject these spurious allegations and rally behind the ongoing transformation of the PAP under Dr Otuaro’s leadership. The media, in particular, has a crucial role to play in upholding journalistic ethics by ensuring that reports are based on verifiable facts rather than unfounded speculation,” he said.
