“Your Cheap Blackmails, Propaganda Cannot Defeat Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s Innovative, Transformative Reforms In The Presidential Amnesty Programme”__

By Uche Alvin

The Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development And Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ) has fired back at what it describes as a coordinated campaign of political attacks, blackmail and propaganda allegedly targeted at the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, warning those behind the campaign that their attempts to destabilise the programme will not succeed.

The National Coordinator of NDAPDEJ, Comrade Freeborn Abraye, in a strongly worded statement, said the organisation would not remain silent while attempts to undermine Otuaro’s administration and reverse reforms within PAP are being carried out.

Abraye specifically addressed General Ebikabowei Victor Ben, also known as Boyloaf, accusing him of being uncomfortable with the changes taking place under Otuaro’s leadership.

“Boyloaf and those working with him should understand one thing: the Presidential Amnesty Programme is not anybody’s private estate. It belongs to the Niger Delta people, and no individual or group will be allowed to control it for personal gains or political interests.”

According to Abraye, Otuaro’s administration has introduced a different approach to the management of PAP, with greater emphasis on education, vocational training, empowerment, beneficiary welfare and human-capital development.

He argued that the growing focus on beneficiaries and broader community participation has made the programme more responsive to the needs of Niger Delta youths.

“The era when a few individuals could sit around the Amnesty Programme and determine who gets access to opportunities is over. Dr. Dennis Otuaro has opened the doors of the programme wider, and that is why Boyloaf and his cohorts are uncomfortable.”

“YOU CANNOT BLACKMAIL YOUR WAY BACK INTO THE SYSTEM”

Abraye said attempts to discredit Otuaro through media attacks, political pressure or personal accusations would not erase what he described as the PAP documented programmes and reforms under Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro.

“You cannot blackmail your way back into a system that has moved forward. You cannot manufacture propaganda and expect the Niger Delta people to ignore the realities they are witnessing in the programme.”

NDAPDEJ further stated that prior to Otuaro’s appointment, there had been widespread concerns among beneficiaries regarding access, welfare, education and the broader direction of the Amnesty Programme.

The organisation credited Otuaro with restoring confidence among beneficiaries through initiatives focused on education, skills acquisition, empowerment and welfare.

Abraye particularly pointed to the expansion of educational opportunities and the increasing attention given to human-capital development as evidence of what he described as a renewed direction within PAP.

“For us at NDAPDEJ, the most important question is simple: what is the programme doing for the people? Under Dr. Otuaro, we are seeing greater emphasis on education, skills, empowerment and the welfare of beneficiaries. Those achievements cannot be erased by some cheap social-media blackmail, propaganda or campaign.”

“PAP MUST SERVE THE PEOPLE, NOT INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS”

The NDAPDEJ National Coordinator maintained that the Presidential Amnesty Programme must remain focused on its core objectives and should not become an instrument for personal enrichment, political influence or factional control.

“Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro has demonstrated that PAP can be more than a stipend-paying institution. It can be an engine for education, skills development, peacebuilding and economic transformation in the Niger Delta.”

Abraye also rejected what he described as efforts to portray Otuaro’s reforms as a threat to particular individuals.

“If introducing accountability, widening access to opportunities, prioritising education and putting beneficiaries at the centre of the programme is considered a problem, then the people have every right to ask: whose interest is being protected?”

ABRAYE: “THE NIGER DELTA IS WATCHING”

NDAPDEJ warned General Boyloaf and his group of social media blackmailers working to destabilise Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro’s administration that the Niger Delta people are watching and are paying attention to every blackmail, propaganda or campaign of calumny against Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro.

Abraye urged traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations, ex-agitators, beneficiaries and other stakeholders to scrutinise every allegation against Dr. Otuaro’s administration and distinguish between legitimate criticism and politically motivated attacks.

“Criticism is part of democracy. But criticism must not become a weapon for political sabotage.“

He further said NDAPDEJ would continue to defend what it considers to be legitimate reforms capable of improving the lives of Niger Delta people.

“We are not saying Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro is above scrutiny. We are only saying the Niger Delta people should not allowed anyone with hidden motives like General Ebikabowei Victor Ben ( Boyloaf ) and his league of serial blackmailers to destroy the Presidential Amnesty Programme simply because their criminal activities in the programme are being disrupted by Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro’s reforms.
The Niger Delta people deserve a Presidential Amnesty Programme that works for them.”

“YOUR PLOTS WILL FAIL WOEFULLY”

Abraye concluded with a direct warning to Boyloaf and his gang that their plot to undermine Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro’s administration of the Presidential Amnesty Programme will fail woefully.

“Boyloaf and his cohorts, Jude Gbaboyor, Daniel Perela Ezekiel, Marbo Ogomugo, Emma Ben and Cletus Kwalekeme should understand that the Niger Delta people are watching them. They should know that no matter what they do they cannot determine the future of the Amnesty Programme through cheap blackmails and propaganda.”

“The Presidential Amnesty Programme belongs to the Niger Delta people. And its success must be measured by the lives it transforms, the young people it educates, the skills it develops and the opportunities it creates. So no attempt made by Boyloaf and his cohorts to destabilise the programme for personal gains will not succeed.”

Abraye called on all Niger Delta stakeholders to remain vigilant, peaceful and focused on ensuring that the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro continues to serve its intended purpose.

Signed:
Comrade Freeborn Abraye
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Advocates For Peace, Development And Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ).