From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
The National Vice Chairman of Phase Three, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Alhaji Letugbene has re-echoed his call on stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, including ex-agitators to key into the innovations introduced by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro which are among efforts to ensure peace, stability and development in the region.
Letugbene restated his call in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, while speaking with a group of Niger Delta youths at a conference organized by a non-governmental organization, to promote peace and development in the Niger Delta.
He said a lot has been achieved through collaborative efforts which Dr Otuaro has pursued vigorously since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and called for it to be sustained.
The ex-agitator said it was important for all stakeholders to support the Otuaro-led Administration if the core objectives of the Amnesty programme which are also in line with the “eight point agenda” of President Tinubu are to be attained.
“Getting everyone onboard to achieve the core goals of the Amnesty office is one thing that Dr Dennis Otuaro has prioritized since his appointment. He has gone round the region to meet all stakeholders including governors, traditional rulers and youths, and the result is what we are seeing now in the Niger Delta region”
Reacting to comments credited to one, Macbeth Peremobowei, who had claimed in a publication that Dr Otuaro’s administration was the worst in history, Letugbene, a prominent youth leader in Bayelsa state, said it was the view of someone who is clearly not in terms with reality and should be disregarded by Niger Deltans and Nigerians at large.
“What indices were used to determine his views about Dr Dennis Otuaro? Nigerians and Niger Deltans in particular know people like Macbeth Peremobowei, who talk from all corners of their mouth. Dr Dennis Otuaro has done well in office and is doing a lot as we speak to change the narrative. He is not moved by naysayers, blackmailers and purveyors of fake news.”
He said Dr Otuaro’s appointment has brought a new lease of life into the Amnesty programme and that the thirty thousand beneficiaries are grateful to President Tinubu for appointing a seasoned technocrat and astute administrator like Dr Otuaro to man the Amnesty Office.
The PAP Phase Three leader cited laudable achievements of the Amnesty boss to include education scholarship for three thousand beneficiaries, leadership training to boost capacity, vocational and marine trainings as well as plans to expand the programme to cover other areas and inclusion of women.
“Since Dr Dennis Otuaro was appointed, he has been moving round preaching peace and working with all stakeholders. You will agree with me that there’s a new lease of life in the Niger Delta region. We, the beneficiaries are happy with him, the president is happy with the work he’s doing and so there’s no to be distracted from the goal”
Letugbene also carpeted Peremobowei for taking the dishonourable part of spreading lies about Dr Otuaro and his leadership of the PAP, saying the false claims against the Amnesty boss clearly shows that the ex-agitator is clouded by either hate or merely seeking cheap publicity on social media platforms.
He noted that Peremobowei’s comments in the publication were tainted with bile, hate and contempt for Dr Otuaro, while also noting that the attack on General Barry Ndiomu (retired), a former PAP Administrator, who had served the country meritoriously in various capacities, was harsh, callous, wicked and totally unacceptable.
The Bayelsa youth leader extolled Dr Otuaro for his prudent management of PAP funds, accountability and transparent leadership, adding that in the past twenty years, no other PAP Administrator had accomplished what he had achieved in a short time in office, citing the prompt payment of monthly stipend to beneficiaries, step by step sorting of beneficiaries with issues of multiple BVN among others as lofty achievements.
“Under his able leadership, beneficiaries are smiling and are happy. We are indeed grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing him and we will continue to support him to achieve his goals. My advice, however, is that those who are against Dr Dennis Otuaro should stop the emotional blackmail and propaganda”.
Letugbene urged his fellow ex-agitator, Peremobowei to stop spreading hate and lies about Dr Otuaro and tow the line of those supporting and encouraging the good works of the Amnesty boss, who he equally enjoined not to be distracted but focused on changing the narrative in the Niger Delta.
He, however, assured President Tinubu that the entire region as well as beneficiaries of the amnesty programme are solidly behind Dr Otuaro, adding that, come 2027, Niger Delta will back the president by massively mobilizing support to enable him win the election and return for a second term in office, with the Amnesty boss leading from the front row.
