{"id":4973,"date":"2025-10-28T16:11:43","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T16:11:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/28\/delta-youth-group-makes-rebuttal-to-false-allegations-made-by-itsekiri-youth-elites-iye-against-amnesty-administrator-dennis-otuaro-describes-allegations-as-blackmail-witch-hunt\/"},"modified":"2025-10-28T16:11:43","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T16:11:43","slug":"delta-youth-group-makes-rebuttal-to-false-allegations-made-by-itsekiri-youth-elites-iye-against-amnesty-administrator-dennis-otuaro-describes-allegations-as-blackmail-witch-hunt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/10\/28\/delta-youth-group-makes-rebuttal-to-false-allegations-made-by-itsekiri-youth-elites-iye-against-amnesty-administrator-dennis-otuaro-describes-allegations-as-blackmail-witch-hunt\/","title":{"rendered":"Delta Youth Group Makes Rebuttal To False Allegations Made By Itsekiri Youth Elites (IYE) Against Amnesty Administrator, Dennis Otuaro, Describes Allegations As Blackmail, Witch-Hunt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

OPEN LETTER FROM THE CONCERNED Youths OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER (NSA)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We, the Concerned Youths of Warri Federal Constituency, have read with profound dismay and anger the reckless publication by a self-styled group, the Itsekiri Youth Elites (IYE), accusing the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, of \u201cbypassing the Olu of Warri\u2019s representative\u201d and \u201cmarginalizing the Itsekiri ethnic group.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This poisonous statement is nothing short of ethnic blackmail, a desperate attempt to drag a federal institution into tribal captivity and to intimidate a man whose integrity and administrative discipline have restored order to a once-abused intervention programme. We therefore write to set the record straight, historically, legally and morally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Is a National Initiative, Not a Tribal Franchise<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    The Presidential Amnesty Programme was created in June 2009 under the late President Umaru Musa Yar\u2019Adua as a national instrument for peace and reintegration, not as a property of any ethnic group or monarch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The PAP operates under the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), as provided by law. The Coordinator, duly appointed by the President, reports to the NSA, not to any traditional stool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It is therefore illegal, unconstitutional and insulting to suggest that allocations due to any ethnic nationality must be routed through the \u201cPalace of the Olu of Warri.\u201d Such an assertion has no basis in any statute, gazette or presidential directive. It is a relic of colonial arrogance that has no place in the 21st-century Nigerian Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. The Olu of Warri Has No Administrative Jurisdiction Over PAP<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      The Itsekiri Youth Elites\u2019 claim that the Olu of Warri\u2019s representative must control PAP matters is a violation of the Nigerian Constitution, which makes no provision for traditional rulers in the management of federal agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Section 5(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) vests all executive powers in the President, who exercises same through appointed officers. There is no constitutional or administrative space for an ethnic palace to control a federally funded programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The Olu of Warri may be revered within his ethnic boundaries but he is not the law and the Nigerian State cannot submit to feudal pretensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Historical Truth: Itsekiris Have Never Been Marginalized, They Have Been Favoured<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        It is hypocritical for the Itsekiri elite to cry \u201cmarginalization\u201d in a Niger Delta they have historically dominated through colonial manipulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Colonial files such as CSO 26\/Vol.6\/08549, CO 554\/120\/5, and the 1932\/1938 British Intelligence Reports make it clear that Ijaw communities were the aboriginal inhabitants of the Warri creeks and coastal belts, from Ogbe-Ijoh to Gbaramatu, Egbema and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The British merely used Itsekiri traders as middlemen between the colonial government and the Ijaw hinterlands. Over time, this administrative favouritism birthed an inflated sense of superiority, which persists today as political arrogance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        For decades, Itsekiri elites cornered government contracts and PAP slots while other ethnic groups that bore the burden of the struggle were left behind. Now that the table of equity has turned under Dr. Otuaro\u2019s leadership, they cry foul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Dr. Dennis Otuaro Has Acted Within His Legal Mandate<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Dr. Otuaro\u2019s administration has restored credibility and transparency to the Amnesty Programme. His reforms are guided by the 2009 Establishment Guidelines of PAP and the principles of federal inclusivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution forbids discrimination on grounds of ethnicity or origin. Therefore, the attempt by IYE to impose an ethnic channel of control is itself unconstitutional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          The Administrator is mandated to engage all Niger Delta beneficiaries directly, not through ethnic monarchs or self-styled \u201cSole Representatives.\u201d Any demand otherwise is a call for corruption to return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Threats of Militancy Are Criminal and Condemnable<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            We are particularly alarmed by the IYE\u2019s veiled threat of \u201cfresh unrest\u201d if their demands are not met. This is a dangerous and irresponsible statement that should not be ignored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Such incitement violates Section 37 of the Criminal Code (Incitement to Violence) and exposes the true intent behind their publication, to blackmail the federal government into restoring illegal privileges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            We call on the NSA, security agencies and the Presidency to treat this as a matter of national security. The Niger Delta cannot be held hostage by a handful of tribal propagandists masquerading as youth leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. Educational Clarification: The Amnesty Programme Is Built on Merit, Not Tribal Patronage<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              The PAP is a federal reintegration and training scheme, meant for verified ex-agitators across the Niger Delta, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Ogoni, Ndokwa and Edo Delta alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Under Dr. Otuaro, the programme has returned to its core purpose: rehabilitation, skills training and education. Slots are allocated based on verifiable lists, not ethnic lobbying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

              The days when \u201cghost beneficiaries\u201d and \u201cpalace nominees\u201d filled the payroll are over. This is the real source of the Itsekiri outcry, the end of corruption and entitlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              1. The Federal Government Must Not Encourage Blackmail<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                We warn that the recent publication by IYE is part of a coordinated campaign by certain Itsekiri political actors who fear that transparency will expose their long-running exploitation of the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Their strategy is to provoke tension and use \u201cethnic grievance\u201d as a shield for self-interest. We urge the Federal Government and the NSA not to fall for this old trick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Dr. Otuaro deserves commendation, not condemnation. His leadership is restoring peace and fairness in a region that has suffered from decades of manipulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                1. Our Final Word<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  The Concerned Youths of Warri Federal Constituency stand firmly behind Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro. His efforts to reform the PAP are legitimate, lawful and long overdue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  We reject, in totality, the falsehoods propagated by the Itsekiri Youth Elites. Their statement is a relic of a failed era, an insult to democracy and a slap on the face of peace-loving Niger Deltans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The Olu of Warri is free to reign over his people but the Federal Government must never surrender a constitutional office to an ethnic palace.
                  Nigeria is a republic, not a monarchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

                  Tiemopere Joshua
                  (President)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Ebikeke T. Goodstime<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  (Secretary)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Concerned Youths of Warri Federal Constituency
                  For and on behalf of peace, truth and justice in the Niger Delta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Cc:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The Delta State Governor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The National Assembly of Nigeria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  The Attorney General of the Federation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                  By Freeborn Abraye OPEN LETTER FROM THE CONCERNED Youths OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY TO THE…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_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},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13],"tags":[1562,834,1563,1564],"class_list":["post-4973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-delta-youth-group-makes-rebuttal-to-false-allegations-made-by-itsekiri-youth-elites-iye-against-amnesty-administrator","tag-dennis-otuaro","tag-describes-allegations-as-blackmail","tag-witch-hunt"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/img_4433.jpg?fit=1111%2C698&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":4973,"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":4973,"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":4985,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/11\/04\/pap-concerned-elders-of-warri-federal-constituency-passes-vote-of-confidence-on-amnesty-boss-otuaro-assures-him-of-their-continued-support\/","url_meta":{"origin":4973,"position":2},"title":"PAP: Concerned Elders Of Warri Federal Constituency Passes Vote Of Confidence On Amnesty Boss Otuaro, Assures Him Of Their Continued Support","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"November 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin OPEN LETTER FROM THE CONCERNED ELDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NSA, NIGER DELTA LEADERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC Subject: A STRONG VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN DR. DENNIS OTUARO, THE BEST COORDINATOR THE PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME HAS EVER HAD With burning anger and deep\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\/10\/img_3940.jpg?fit=495%2C619&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3596,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/06\/26\/just-in-concerned-indigenous-stakeholders-of-warri-federal-constituency-makes-rebuttal-to-publication-made-by-itsekiri-youth-elite-iye-moves-to-set-records-straight\/","url_meta":{"origin":4973,"position":3},"title":"JUST IN: Concerned Indigenous Stakeholders Of Warri Federal Constituency Makes Rebuttal To Publication Made By Itsekiri Youth Elite (IYE), Moves To Set Records Straight","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"June 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Uche Alvin REBUTTAL PRESS STATEMENT RE: THE MISLEADING CLAIMS OF THE ITSEKIRI YOUTH ELITE (IYE) \u2014 A WEB OF MANIPULATED JUDGEMENTS, INVENTED HISTORY, AND ETHNIC GASLIGHTING The recent press statement issued by the so-called Itsekiri Youth Elite (IYE) is not only riddled with historical distortions and deliberate misrepresentation of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5187,"url":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/2025\/12\/10\/pap-concerned-niger-delta-elders-passes-vote-of-confidence-on-amnesty-administrator-otuaro-charges-president-tinubu-ribadu-general-public-to-disregard-baseless-allegations-protests-against-him\/","url_meta":{"origin":4973,"position":4},"title":"PAP: Concerned Niger Delta Elders Passes Vote Of Confidence On Amnesty Administrator, Otuaro, Charges President Tinubu, Ribadu, General Public To Disregard Baseless Allegations, Protests Against Him","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"December 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye Open LETTER BY THE CONCERNED ELDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY TO THE PRESIDENCY, The National Security Adviser (NSA) AND THE NIGERIAN PUBLICDATE: 10TH DEC, 2025 SUBJECT: CONCERNED ELDERS OF WARRI FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY PASS A RESOLUTE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN DR. OTUARO AND REJECT THE BASELESS BLACKMAIL We,\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\/09\/img_3009.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_3009.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/img_3009.jpg?fit=576%2C426&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4625,"url":"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\/","url_meta":{"origin":4973,"position":5},"title":"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","author":"Freeborn Abraye","date":"August 11, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"By Freeborn Abraye 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\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\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/img_0467-1.jpg?fit=700%2C438&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfDfBE-1id","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4973","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=4973"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4973\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4973"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4973"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coastaltimes.com.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4973"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}