From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Third Phase Ex-agitators Forum of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has said recent protests calling for the removal of the amnesty boss, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, were merely sponsored attacks by his detractors.
In a statement by its national chairman, Mr. Preye Ekpebide, the forum said the protesters were unknown and just seeking attention.
He said the protests and media attacks were being masterminded by sworn enemies of Otuaro and those who don’t want stability and progress in the Amnesty Office and by extension the Niger Delta region.
The ex-freedom fighter while maintaining that allegations of favoritism and nepotism against Otuaro are trumped-up claims, added that the PAP boss has so far been transparent, fair, and equitable in his leadership of the agency.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Third Phase Ex-agitators Forum has been drawn to a recent protest by some persons at the corridors of the National Assembly Complex calling for the sack of the amiable administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, over claims of favoritism and corruption.
“We want to make it categorically clear that this group of persons that protested in Abuja were unknown and their actions were instigated by Dr. Otuaro’s naysayers who are sadly, blind to his sterling leadership of the PAP.
“The allegations of favoritism, corruption, nepotism and whatever other allegations they leveled against Otuaro are untrue because anyone who is connected to the PAP knows how altruistic and transparent Otuaro has been in his leadership of the agency since his appointment.”
Ekpebide maintained that Otuaro has been doing very well since his appointment, stressing that third-phase ex-agitators had never been this satisfied with any PAP leadership.
He noted that, under Otuaro, the Amnesty Programme more than ever had prioritised education by awarding scholarships to hundreds of indigent undergraduates in the Niger Delta to study different programmes in different institutions across the country.
He pointed out that Otuaro had also been very inclusive in his leadership of the programme by consistently engaging stakeholders across board while prioritising the interest of all PAP delegates.
Ekpebide wondered why some persons were hell-bent on destroying Otuaro whom they say is doing his absolute best to lead the PAP to achieve its mandate.