PAP: Amnesty Delegates Forum Rejects Allegations Against Chief Dennis Otuaro, Defends Ongoing Reforms

The leadership of the Amnesty Delegates Forum has dismissed as false, malicious and unfounded allegations reportedly made by Cletus Kwalekeme against the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dennis Otuaro, PhD, and the Oporoza House.

The Forum, in a statement signed by Gen. Ogidigba Godstime Ogidigba, said its attention was drawn to a publication alleging that Kwalekeme was kidnapped and poisoned by Chief Dennis Otuaro and members of the Oporoza House.

The Amnesty Delegates Forum described the allegations as a campaign of blackmail and propaganda, insisting that Chief Dennis Otuaro and the Oporoza House were focused on the affairs of the Amnesty Programme and the ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the scheme.

According to the Forum, some of those behind what it described as the allegations are individuals allegedly affected by the reforms being implemented under the present administration of the programme.

The group claimed that attempts had allegedly been made to pressure the PAP leadership into maintaining aspects of the previous system, but that such efforts were unsuccessful.

It specifically cited reforms relating to bulk payments, multiple accounts allegedly linked to a single Bank Verification Number (BVN), alleged fraudulent contracts for the supply of accessories to the Amnesty office, as well as alleged irregularities surrounding training and empowerment contracts.

The Forum said the reforms were necessary to improve transparency, accountability and effectiveness within the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

It further commended the administration for what it described as the expansion of opportunities for Niger Delta beneficiaries, including the reported sponsorship of thousands of beneficiaries for scholarship and training programmes in universities within Nigeria and abroad.

The statement also highlighted reported leadership and stakeholders’ training and empowerment initiatives as part of efforts to broaden the impact of the Amnesty Programme.

The Amnesty Delegates Forum therefore urged members of the public to treat the allegations against Chief Dennis Otuaro with caution and avoid accepting unverified claims as established facts.

The Forum called on Niger Delta stakeholders and beneficiaries to support what it described as the ongoing reforms designed to sanitise the Amnesty Programme, eliminate alleged longstanding irregularities and ensure that the scheme better serves its intended beneficiaries.

While defending the reforms, the Forum maintained that disagreements over administrative changes should be addressed through appropriate channels rather than through what it characterised as allegations, blackmail or propaganda.

The statement was signed by Gen. Ogidigba Godstime Ogidigba on behalf of the Amnesty Delegates Forum