By Jesse Ese
The Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum has described attempts to drag the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, into the controversy surrounding the leadership of Phase One beneficiaries as unnecessary, misleading and capable of creating avoidable tension within the Amnesty Programme.
The group also dismissed allegations of bank robbery levelled against High Chief Aroni Oputu by a faceless group identified as Concerned Niger Delta Ex-Agitators.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Convener of the forum, Self-Styled General Emma Satu, said those accusing Otuaro of appointing Phase One leaders either do not understand how the programme operates or are deliberately misinforming the public.
Emma Satu explained that the PAP Administrator does not appoint leaders of the various phases of the Amnesty Programme, stressing that the selection or emergence of leaders is an internal affair of the beneficiaries themselves.
“It is important to put the records straight. Dr. Dennis Otuaro is not the person who appoints leaders of Phase One, Phase Two or Phase Three. His responsibility as Administrator is to work with whoever emerges or is elected by the beneficiaries. He has no hand in the selection process and does not influence who becomes a leader.”
He urged individuals and groups to stop dragging the PAP Administrator into issues that have nothing to do with his office.
“It is unfair and irresponsible to continue attacking Dr. Otuaro over matters outside his constitutional and administrative responsibilities.”
The forum noted that since assuming office, Otuaro has remained focused on implementing the Federal Government’s mandate of sustaining peace, empowering beneficiaries and expanding educational and vocational opportunities across the Niger Delta.
Emma Satu warned against making inflammatory statements capable of undermining the relative peace achieved under the Amnesty Programme.
The Bank Robbery Allegation
The Niger Delta Ex-agitators Forum led by Emma Satu specifically took a swipe at the author the post, an unknown person who goes by the name Tare Deseimoh, and those who are circulating it senselessly, especially one mischievous Ben Emma who is always looking for instances to attack Dr Dennis Otuaro.
Satu said it is barbaric and foolish for anyone in his right senses to publish or share such a post blackmailing Dr. Dennis Otuaro, and labelling Aroni a bank robber.
Satu described anyone questioning Aroni’s role in the Amnesty Programme as misguided and uncivilised; describing the claims as false, defamatory and a calculated attempt to sow division among ex-agitators.
He maintained that the allegations were fabricated to undermine the ongoing reforms being implemented by the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro.
He said even the authors of the publication know too well that Aroni has never made any attempt to rob any bank in his entire life.
“It is unfortunate that some individuals have resorted to blackmail and character assassination in an attempt to advance personal interests,” he said.
He called on ex-agitators to remain united and continue supporting initiatives that promote peace, development and stability in the Niger Delta.
According to him, “This is nothing but blackmail. General Aroni is a well recognized personality in the Niger Delta struggle. He had his own camp and it was very popular. The camp’s name at first was Akobirisi-Iroko in Bini river Warri North LGA, before it was later changed to Under-Dog Camp 2 when we did Amnesty.”
“In Egbema, there are four camps, and they’re recognized and well known in the Niger Delta, and our youths and everybody know.”
“Number one camp belonged to General Ezekiel Akpasibowei, he is the person in charge of Underdog Camp One. He’s well known in the Amnesty Programme.”
“Number two camp belonged to General Aroni, that’s the Underdog Camp Two.”
“Number three camp belonged to General Austin Abu, that’s the Underdog Camp Three. Then there is camp four headed by General Felix Mieminiye. All these camps are located in Warri North Local Government Area, and they submitted their arms successfully to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.”
“Amnesty took place in 2009, then 2010, Aroni, was appointed as member of Waterways security, Delta State, where Chief Ayiri Emami was the chairman of the Waterways Security. Then he was appointed as Waterways Security member from 2010-2013.”
“Even when Ifeanyi Okowa came into power after Uduaghan, he appointed Aroni as Waterways and Land Security member, that was when Chief Boro Opudu was the chairman of Waterways and Land Security.”
“During Okowa’s second tenure, Aroni was appointed SA security to the governor of Delta State. And finally the present government, the government of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori appointed him as senior special assistant to the governor on security matters.”
“Looking at his portfolio and antecedents, if he was an armed robber, or if his ways are not pure, how can all these governors work with him?”
“Three governors appointed him to work with them – it shows his credibility and resourcefulness. The name Aroni is well recognized in the Niger Delta. From 2010 till date, he’s still in office rendering service to the people of Delta State and the Niger Delta.”
“It’s not just about Dennis Otuaro. He’s been holding public positions before Dr. Dennis Otuaro became the administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. The position was handed to him by the former chairman of ex-agitators forum, General Henry Egbema 1. So, Otuaro did not give him the position.”
“He was elected by phase one ex-agitators. So the person making these grave allegations is confused and also faceless. They should go and check his records, background and everything.”
“In life, people must attack you and call you names when you start to rise, and that’s what is playing out. That’s why they are calling Aroni a bank robber.”
“At the beginning of the struggle, he was there, but the person behind this senseless talks, we don’t even know him.”
“Aroni is also a chief in Egbema Kingdom. If he was not responsible, how would anyone confer a chieftaincy on him?”
“This is published by the enemies of Dr. Dennis Otuaro, those who want to destabilize his government, but they cannot succeed because Dr. Dennis Otuaro is a good person,” he added.
According to him, attempts to discredit Otuaro through “false propaganda” would not derail the progress being recorded under the current administration.
He urged members of the public to disregard the allegations, describing them as a campaign of misinformation designed to create unnecessary tension within the Amnesty Programme.
“The Presidential Amnesty Programme was established to promote reconciliation and sustainable peace, not division. Genuine stakeholders should support efforts aimed at preserving the gains already achieved rather than spreading falsehoods capable of undermining stability in the Niger Delta,” he stated.
