Kogiflame
The Ijaw Youths Network (IYN) has denounced a coordinated smear campaign against the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro.
The group accused unnamed individuals and their sponsors of spreading false allegations of financial misconduct against Dr. Otuaro in an attempt to discredit him.
A statement signed by the IYN President and Secretary, Frank Ebikabo and Federal Ebiaridor, specifically called out the “Niger Delta Liberators and Ex-Agitators Forum (NGLEF)” for alleging that Dr. Otuaro engaged in fraudulent disbursement of funds and awarded contracts to inactive and unregistered companies.
The NGLEF claimed that Dr. Otuaro approved N50 billion for a company lacking legal standing in Nigeria.
The IYN dismissed these allegations as baseless, stating that its independent investigations revealed the claims were fabricated to tarnish Dr. Otuaro’s reputation and disrupt the ongoing reforms in the PAP.
The group linked the latest attack to individuals behind a protest against Dr. Otuaro at the United Nations headquarters in New York last December.
Since assuming office in 2024, Dr. Otuaro has implemented significant reforms, including expanding the PAP scholarship scheme and introducing new vocational training Programmes to bridge the skills gap in the Niger Delta.
The IYN urged stakeholders to disregard the allegations and support the ongoing transformation of the PAP under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the Niger Delta Energy Security Forum (NDESF) has come out in defense of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), dismissing recent attacks as baseless and driven by individuals who benefited from past abuses and mismanagement.
According to George Kerley, Convener of the NDESF, the current administration’s reforms have put an end to “free money” and restored the program’s original mission.
Kerley attributed the increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production to the program’s renewed focus, stating that former militants are being discouraged from engaging in crude theft and illegal refining.
He also highlighted the program’s past failures, which contributed to a drastic drop in oil production and severe environmental consequences, including soot pollution in Port Harcourt.
Regarding the proposed South-South Development Commission Bill, Kerley expressed strong support, emphasizing the need for a well-run and efficient commission to ensure zero crude oil theft, bunkering, and illegal refining in the Niger Delta.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to recognize the importance of establishing the commission, warning that it would fail if hijacked by political interests.
