{"id":4625,"date":"2025-08-11T17:27:11","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T17:27:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/11\/amnesty-what-itsekiris-are-benefiting-today-is-a-privilege-not-right-says-niger-delta-group-reveals-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle\/"},"modified":"2025-08-11T17:43:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T17:43:18","slug":"amnesty-what-itsekiris-are-benefiting-today-is-a-privilege-not-right-says-niger-delta-group-reveals-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/11\/amnesty-what-itsekiris-are-benefiting-today-is-a-privilege-not-right-says-niger-delta-group-reveals-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle\/","title":{"rendered":"AMNESTY: \u201cWhat Itsekiris Are Benefiting Today Is A Privilege Not Right\u201d Says Niger Delta Group, Reveals Itsekiris Never Took Part In Niger Delta Struggle"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Freeborn Abraye <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our attention has been drawn to a pseudo and non-existent Itsekiri group under the camouflage of Warri Youth Council, WYC, to blackmail the revered and most performing administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro. We are not perturbed of their criminal agenda, knowing fully well the Presidency and all well-meaning Niger Delta people could attest for the credible performance of Dr Otuaro. It is becoming evident that the incessant attacks by the Itsekiri on the Administrator of the PAP Dr. Otuaro is borne out of primordial sentiments because he is a Gbaramatu Ijaw man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it is ignorance that makes the cat to attack a lion for a fight and believe that they are of the same breed if they all have black spotted skins, what the Itsekiris miscreants and mischief makers do not know is that IPDI is a revered rights advocacy group, known for its proactiveness in the defense of Niger Delta rights against oppression and marginalization over the years, so describing IPDI as faceless group is laughable and it shows the level of ignorance among Itsekiri youths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is succinct to state unequivocally that Itsekiris are trouble makers, being descendants of a banished prince Giniwa of Benin. We are still maintaining our earlier stand that the itsekiris were not part of the Presidential Amnesty Programme during the proclamation but they were later considered and included into the Amnesty Programme following an appeal by their daughter who was married to the late National Security Adviser, Gen Owoye Andrew Azazi. We state further that the Itsekiri should not abuse the privilege but be grateful to Dr Otuaro for the additional slots given to them to add to the earlier Five Hundred Slots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wish to reiterate that no disarmament and demobilization of the presidential Amnesty programme was held in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, the first, second and third phases of the programme were held in Agbarho and 3 battalions in Delta State.
The Itsekiris only submitted a political list of their Five hundred slots given to them by the then administrator of the program, Dr Kingsley KuKu, and that should not in any way be seen as disarmament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an abrupt and reckless attempt by the Itsekiris to now forcefully be crying for inclusion through blackmail, the Itsekiris, who distanced themselves from the Presidential Amnesty Programme only to have a change of mind after seeing the success of the program do not merit a single slot. We are aware that they wrote several publications to applaud the federal government for disarming the Ijaw people, alleged that the Ijaw killed their people. They stated further that Itsekiris were not militants and will not embrace the program, stressing that their youths were enlightened, educated and peaceful but unfortunately the same people are now shamelessly crying for inclusion. It is public knowledge that the Itsekiris declined the Presidential Amnesty granted by the late President Yar Adua. Anyone who is interested can access the body of information in the public domain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Itsekiris can’t eat their cake and have it. They are a people of double standard, they speak with both sides of their mouths. We are not surprised about the new tactics and strategy of these ungrateful lots. One may be tempted to ask whether their monarch, the Olu of Itsekiri is providing guidance to the Itsekiri youths, or is he the one instigating them because it is playing out that the average Itsekiri youth is lacking guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is worthy of note that it was not the National Assembly that compelled the then administrator Dr KuKu to accept the Itsekiris into the amnesty program, their petition failed. The National Assembly after hearing from KuKu saw that the Itsekiri didn’t have a case, the then National Assembly only appealed to President Jonathan and Hon. Kuku on humanitarian grounds for the Itsekiris to be included on the basis of impacted community and 500 places was negotiated for them, case was dismissed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also their daughter who was married to the then NSA, late General Owoye Andrew Azazi influenced with the appeal. Those slots were given to the Itsekiris for training and not for monthly stipends. It is dubious and criminal to claim otherwise, more so when such claims are predicated on overseas scholarships. Not even those who paid the ultimate price for the Niger Delta struggle lay claim to such exclusivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Itsekiri nation is known for blackmail, mischief making, campaign of calumny, envy. The relentless attacks and pull down attitudes against Dr. Otuaro, is a script by the Itsekiris well known to Niger Deltans and the rest of Nigeria. The PAP Administrator shouldn’t be detered nor respond to such correspondences which are full of lies and more lies. They cannot cow him to get what they want. He is a son of the struggle and can’t be derailed by blackmail and peddling of falsehoods by the Itsekiris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wish to state again that it is not the Itsekiri’s right to benefit from the Presidential Amnesty Program since they were not part of those captured by the Presidential Amnesty ab initio, what they enjoy now is a privilege given to them by the magnanimity of President Goodluck Jonathan Presidency. It is not the Itsekiri that produces the bulk of crude oil in the Niger Delta, the Ijaws are the major producers of oil revenue to the federal coffers and not the Itsekiris. So it is mischievous for them to claim PAP delegates are being paid with oil money from Itsekiri. It is an empirical and irrefutable truth to say the funds are derived from Ijaw land and not from Itsekiri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We state again that the Itsekiri does not have the monopoly of violence, and can’t threaten to cow constituted authorities with threats to achieve their selfish demands, no body is afraid of protest, if they like the full Itsekiri nation should go to Abuja to protest, since it is their stock in trade. They don’t build nor create, just like the biblical story that took place in King Solomon’s palace, 1 Kings 3:16 – 28 of the woman who falsely claimed to be the mother and wants the child cut into two while the true mother with love wanted the baby to be intact and alive even if it means losing the child momentarily, the Itsekiris inherently loves to lay false claims, throughout their history subterfuge has been adopted and elevated as statecraft and when they fail they opt for destruction. It is an evil that must be called for what it is and be stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Itsekiri nation should not provoke the Ijaw youths, we can match them quid pro quo and make a quick walk over them from anywhere they are protesting against Dr Otuaro if the need arises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are using this medium to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and the National Security Adviser to caution the Itsekiris and their youths, if the government fails to call them to order, their activities may disrupt peace and stability in the Niger Delta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comrade Ozobo Austin
National president<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter Luke
National Secretary<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Freeborn Abraye Our attention has been drawn to a pseudo and non-existent Itsekiri group…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3337,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13],"tags":[1341,1342],"class_list":["post-4625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-amnesty-what-itsekiris-are-benefiting-today-is-a-privilege-not-right-says-niger-delta-group","tag-reveals-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4632,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/just-in-foremost-ijaw-youth-organization-dismisses-allegations-made-against-amnesty-boss-dennis-otuaro-by-itsekiri-youths-council-says-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle\/","url_meta":{"origin":4625,"position":0},"title":"JUST IN: Foremost Ijaw Youth Organization Dismisses Allegations Made Against Amnesty Boss, Dennis Otuaro By Itsekiri Youths Council, Says Itsekiris Never Took Part In Niger Delta Struggle","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has dismissed allegations by an Itsekiri group accusing the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, of unfair treatment towards Itsekiri ex-agitators. In a statement signed on Tuesday by its National President, Frank Ebikabo, and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4633,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/just-in-foremost-ijaw-youth-organization-dismisses-allegations-made-against-amnesty-boss-dennis-otuaro-by-itsekiri-youths-council-says-itsekiris-never-took-part-in-niger-delta-struggle-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":4625,"position":1},"title":"JUST IN: Foremost Ijaw Youth Organization Dismisses Allegations Made Against Amnesty Boss, Dennis Otuaro By Itsekiri Youths Council, Says Itsekiris Never Took Part In Niger Delta Struggle","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has dismissed allegations by an Itsekiri group accusing the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, of unfair treatment towards Itsekiri ex-agitators. In a statement signed on Tuesday by its National President, Frank Ebikabo, and Secretary, Federal Ebiaridor, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1732-2-1.jpg?fit=1080%2C719&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4605,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/08\/just-in-ijaw-rights-group-blasts-itsekiris-over-attacks-on-amnesty-boss-dennis-otuaro-says-benefits-enjoyed-by-itsekiris-in-the-amnesty-programme-is-a-privilege-not-right\/","url_meta":{"origin":4625,"position":2},"title":"JUST IN: Ijaw Rights Group Blasts Itsekiris Over Attacks On Amnesty Boss, Dennis Otuaro, Says Benefits Enjoyed By Itsekiris In The Amnesty Programme Is A Privilege Not Right","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye Says no Itsekiri PAP scholarship students abandoned \u2022Insists no true ex-agitator in Itsekiri, slots enjoyed are political A leading Niger Delta group, the Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI has strongly condemned the baseless, mischievous, barbaric, and misleading call to sack the administrator of the presidential Amnesty programme,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1760-1.jpg?fit=960%2C723&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1760-1.jpg?fit=960%2C723&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1760-1.jpg?fit=960%2C723&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1760-1.jpg?fit=960%2C723&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4660,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/16\/the-rise-of-dennis-otuaro-a-challenge-to-ethnic-parochialism___prof-benedict-binebai\/","url_meta":{"origin":4625,"position":3},"title":"The Rise Of Dennis Otuaro: A Challenge To Ethnic Parochialism___Prof. Benedict Binebai","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye In a notable display of interest and surprise, critics are unable to deny the ascension of Dennis Brutu Otuaro, a respected son of Delta State. He has attained this position in the Presidential Amnesty Programme, which appears to cause disquiet among certain individuals with concerns regarding ethnicity.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1914-1.jpg?fit=720%2C929&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1914-1.jpg?fit=720%2C929&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1914-1.jpg?fit=720%2C929&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1914-1.jpg?fit=720%2C929&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5292,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2026\/01\/17\/amnesty-leader-of-niger-delta-rights-group-amb-yerinmene-hails-otuaro-for-the-all-inclusive-and-equitable-educational-reform-he-has-brought-to-the-pap\/","url_meta":{"origin":4625,"position":4},"title":"EDUCATION: Leader Of Niger Delta Rights Group, Amb Arerebo Yerinmene Hails Otuaro For The All Inclusive And Equitable Educational Reforms He Has Brought To The PAP","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"January 17, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye I can categorically state that the intentional educational investment of High Chief Dr. Dr. Dennis Otuaro PhD, through the PAP is all-inclusive and reflects the interests of all tribes and ethnicities within the region. Those claiming that these initiatives are designed solely for the Ijaw people are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7130.jpg?fit=986%2C860&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7130.jpg?fit=986%2C860&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7130.jpg?fit=986%2C860&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/img_7130.jpg?fit=986%2C860&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4628,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/08\/13\/ichc-warns-against-misrepresentation-of-presidential-amnesty-programme-asks-olu-of-itsekiri-to-submit-arms-to-delta-state-govt-if-he-is-interested-in-amnesty-reaffirms-support-for-dennis-otuaro\/","url_meta":{"origin":4625,"position":5},"title":"ICHC Warns Against Misrepresentation Of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Asks Olu Of Itsekiri To Submit Arms To Delta State Govt If He Is Interested In Amnesty, Reaffirms Support For Dennis Otuaro","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 13, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin The Izon Cultural Heritage Centre (ICHC) has observed, with deep concern, recent comments and tendencies emanating from the palace of the Olu of Itsekiri through one Dr. Mese who claims to be a representative of the Olu in the Amnesty programme, his unguided utterances seeks to misrepresent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1865-2-1.jpg?fit=732%2C627&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1865-2-1.jpg?fit=732%2C627&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1865-2-1.jpg?fit=732%2C627&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_1865-2-1.jpg?fit=732%2C627&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1cB","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4625"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4626,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4625\/revisions\/4626"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3337"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}