Niger Delta youths have dismissed all allegations of nepotism, favouritism, and financial mismanagement against the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, describing them as false.
The youths, who spoke in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from the camp of Dennis Philip said Otuaro had never been involved in such misdeed.
A youth leader from the camp, Tarry Foray Fayeofori, also dismissed as an outright lie the claim that Otuaro was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) insisting that such a claim was a gross distortion of facts crafted with the sole intention of misleading the public.
Fayeofori said the attacks on Otuaro were a calculated attempt by self-serving individuals to disrupt the remarkable progress being recorded in PAP under his visionary leadership.
He said: “These unfounded allegations represent a desperate effort to tarnish Chief Otuaro’s reputation and undermine the stability and growth of the Niger Delta region.
“The perpetrators of these baseless accusations fail to acknowledge the groundbreaking achievements of the PAP under his administration and instead seek to destabilize the peace and development championed by his leadership.
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Fayeofori, a prominent youth leader in Rivers State insisted that the allegations were malicious falsehoods lacking any foundation in truth.
He described Otuaro as a man of integrity, a true son of the Niger Delta, and a product of the PAP himself, adding that his appointment to lead the PAP was a divine intervention aimed at restructuring and reinvigorating the initiative for the greater good of the region.
He said Otuaro’s tenure has ushered strategic reforms that focused on empowering ex-agitators, fostering lasting peace, and spearheading economic transformation across the Niger Delta.
Fayeofori said: “Under his leadership, the PAP has made significant strides in ensuring that former agitators are reintegrated into society through various skill acquisition programs, educational scholarships, and entrepreneurial support. His policies have not only stabilized the region but have also laid a solid foundation for sustainable development, reducing restiveness and creating viable opportunities for the youth.
“It is regrettable that faceless individuals, driven by selfish political and economic interests, are sponsoring groups in Abuja to malign the reputation of a man whose only crime is his unwavering commitment to the Niger Delta cause.
“These coordinated smear campaigns are deliberate distractions aimed at halting the remarkable progress and transformative policies implemented under Chief Otuaro’s administration.
“The Niger Delta region cannot afford to be swayed by deceitful narratives peddled by those who prioritise personal enrichment over collective development.
“We must recognize the deliberate attempts to create division and instability in a region that has long struggled for peace and progress. The orchestrated attacks against Chief Otuaro must be rejected with the firmness they deserve”.
Fayeofori said all stakeholders in the Niger Delta including the Ijaw Youth Council and the Ijaw Youth Consultative Forum (IYCF) were solidly behind Otuaro and had dismissed the allegations as wild, ridiculous, and completely unfounded.
“The public is therefore urged to disregard these misleading reports and instead continue to rally behind the transformational leadership of Chief Otuaro, whose dedication to fulfilling the mandate of the PAP remains resolute. His visionary approach to governance and youth empowerment must not be derailed by unfounded distractions”, he said.
Fayeofori said rather than resorting to deceit and character assassination, individuals and groups with genuine concerns should engage through proper channels to seek clarification.
He said the Niger Delta region needed unity, constructive dialogue, and responsible leadership and reaffirmed the youth’s unwavering and absolute support for Otuaro and the PAP.
He said: “As Niger Deltans, we must remain vigilant and ensure that the progress made under Chief Dennis Burutu Otuaro’s leadership is not sabotaged by those whose interests lie in division and economic exploitation. The region cannot afford to be dragged backward by the schemes of individuals who do not have its best interests at heart.”