The Revamp Niger Delta Now Group has strongly defended the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, rejecting calls for his removal by the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality Ex-Agitators Forum.
The group described the allegations against Otuaro as misleading, unfounded, and capable of inciting ethnic division within the Niger Delta.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on April 2, 2026, and signed by its Director General, Comrade Ebideke Atuwo, the group dismissed claims of bias and mismanagement within the programme. It maintained that the accusations were part of a deliberate attempt to distort facts and undermine ongoing reforms under Otuaro’s leadership.
The group specifically refuted allegations of systemic deployment bias, stating that the PAP operates on structured guidelines rather than ethnic considerations. It emphasized that decisions within the programme are based on verified data and established eligibility criteria, not tribal affiliations. According to the statement, any suggestion that opportunities are distributed along ethnic lines lacks credible evidence and misrepresents the programme’s operations.
It further argued that portraying the PAP as an ethnic entitlement reflects a dangerous mindset that could undermine its purpose as a federal reintegration initiative. The group warned that such narratives risk eroding public trust and creating unnecessary divisions among beneficiaries.
Addressing claims of educational marginalization, the Revamp Niger Delta Now Group described them as baseless and misleading. It explained that scholarships and training opportunities under the PAP are awarded based on merit, preparedness, and available programme capacity. The group noted that assertions of total exclusion of any ethnic group ignore documented records and established processes guiding the programme.
The statement also dismissed allegations of administrative hostility, describing them as exaggerated and lacking substance. It clarified that the Office of the Administrator operates within formal institutional frameworks, where processes and timelines must be followed. The group argued that interpreting standard administrative procedures as hostility reflects a misunderstanding of governance rather than evidence of wrongdoing.
On claims that the programme is being politicized for personal gain, the group described such accusations as speculative and unsupported by facts. It stated that Dr. Otuaro’s leadership has focused on restructuring the PAP to align with broader national development goals, particularly under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group expressed concern over statements suggesting that the safety of oil facilities in the Niger Delta could no longer be guaranteed. It described such remarks as irresponsible and potentially dangerous, warning that they could threaten the fragile peace achieved in the region. The statement emphasized that stability in the Niger Delta should not be jeopardized by alarmist rhetoric or attempts to gain attention.
Reaffirming the purpose of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the group stressed that it is designed to serve all recognized beneficiaries across the Niger Delta. It maintained that no single ethnic group has exclusive rights over the programme and that its principles are rooted in inclusiveness and fairness.
The Revamp Niger Delta Now Group declared its full support for Dr. Dennis Otuaro, passing a vote of confidence in his leadership. It credited him with driving reforms, strengthening accountability, and maintaining stability within the programme. The group insisted that efforts to discredit the administrator are based on sentiment rather than verifiable facts.
In its concluding remarks, the group called on stakeholders to avoid divisive narratives and instead engage constructively through appropriate institutional channels. It emphasized that the long-term development and stability of the Niger Delta depend on unity and cooperation rather than conflict and misinformation.
