Stakeholders Pass Vote of Confidence on Presidential Amnesty Administrator, Declares Him a Blessing to Niger Delta Region

The Critical Stakeholders Forum has passed a vote of confidence on the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, declaring him a blessing to the programme and the Niger Delta region.  

The forum, which came out with this on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 via a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Reuben Wilson, reaffirmed its faith in the competence and transformational leadership of Dr Otuaro, calling on all his critics to be, factual, constructive and patriotic.

“We reaffirm our faith in the competence and transformational leadership of Dr Dennis Otuaro. We declare that he is a blessing to the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta region and therefore, we are calling on all his critics to be, factual, constructive and patriotic.”

The forum further called on the PAP Administrator’s traducers to eschew bitterness and negative sentiments but instead due proper due diligence on the performance of the programme and policies formulated and implemented by Dr Otuaro since assuming office.

“This call is premised on the fact that there is the emergence of a new trend of frivolous criticisms orchestrated to tarnish the image of the Administrator and reduce his popularity among the beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; and majority of the said criticisms against him are heavily laced with bitterness and negative political sentiments.

“We are therefore, calling on all such critics to eschew bitterness and political sentiments while expressing their opinions concerning the leadership trajectory of Dr. Dennis Otuaro as Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”

“We are also using this medium to call on Owusu Owupele and his group to do an objective analysis and a thorough research on the reforms and progressive policies initiated by Dr. Dennis Otuaro as Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to enable him and his group arrive at a more accurate and informed account of events of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Dennis Otuaro.

“Mr Owusu Owupele and his group should thereafter render an unreserved apology to the Administrator for making such unfounded, spurious, malicious and reckless statement against him.”

“It’s a well-known fact that High Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro has sanitized the Presidential Amnesty Programme and has repositioned it to be able to effectively execute its original mandate of rehabilitating, training and reintegrating back to the society, beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.” 

“The Presidential Amnesty Programme had lost focus on its core mandate before the emergence of High Chief Otuaro. The current transformation at the Presidential Amnesty Office is made possible by the uncommon transformational leadership of High Chief Otuaro.”

“High Chief Dennis Otuaro has also enthroned transparency and accountability in the Presidential Amnesty Programme. His transformational leadership and vision have made the Presidential Amnesty Programme to be more result-oriented and productive.”

“He is indeed a blessing to the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta Region. He should be celebrated and not vilified. He is a true Ambassador of the Niger Delta people.”

“It’s therefore, surprising and disheartening to read about uninformed and baseless comments made against High Chief Dennis Otuaro, such as the one made by Owusu Owupele and his group, alleging that Otuaro betrayed the trust of the beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and therefore, be sacked.”

The stakeholders condemned the antagonism being launched against Dr Otuaro, urging those involved to desist forthwith and exude patriotism, asserting that given that criticism is a means to enthroning probity and accountability it should done objectively and constructively.

“We hereby totally condemn such malicious and fabricated falsehood targeted at pulling down, our dear uncommon Administrator, High Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro. We urge all those that are involved in such distasteful and nefarious activities to desist forthwith from such activities and “turn a new leaf.” They should become patriotic and responsible citizens for the betterment of our nation.”

“It’s pertinent to note that criticism is part of the means to enthroning probity and accountability in a society but such must be done objectively, truthfully, factually and constructively, and should be devoid of any form of bias, falsehood and negative sentiments.”

“It’s unfortunate that the “stock in trade” of some persons is to try to pull down public office holders by “casting aspersions” and spreading falsehood against them. The activities of such persons have the capacity to distract and slow down the efficiency and productivity of public office holders which can negatively impact on public governance and development in the country.”

The Critical Stakeholders Forum called on all Niger Deltans and other beneficiaries of the amnesty programme to coalesce efforts with the PAP management as led by Dr Dennis Otuaro to strengthen it and make it better. 

“Furthermore, it is with the highest sense of patriotism and unflinching commitment to the unity, peace and holistic development of the Niger Delta Region and the betterment of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, that we are calling on all patriotic Niger Deltans and genuine beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to join hands with High Chief (Dr.) Dennis B. Otuaro to strengthen and better the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the collective good of all of us.”

“As Critical Stakeholders of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, we believe strongly that a united, peaceful and prosperous Niger Delta and the successful execution of the original mandate of the Presidential Amnesty Programme should be the ultimate interest of all patriotic and well-meaning Niger Deltans and genuine beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.” 

“Therefore, supporting High Chief Otuaro in his bid to transform the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the holistic and successful implementation of its original mandate should be the primary focus of all genuine beneficiaries. The Presidential Amnesty Programme beneficiaries should eschew divisive tendencies and focus on the efficient and successful implementation of the programme.”

“We consider it very important and necessary to make this clarion call because the Presidential Amnesty Programme needs a stable, peaceful and productive environment to thrive and be successful. We don’t need to unnecessarily distract the Administrator. We must give him the needed encouragement and enabling working environment to optimally perform his duties for the betterment of the programme.”