Chairman of the Critical Stakeholders Forum of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Pastor Reuben Wilson, has expressed concern over the spate of attacks against the person and office of the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro.
Rather than vilify Otuaro, Wilson wants his critics to think of how to join forces to move the Niger Delta forward.
Wilson, a former Niger Delta agitator, said repentant militant leaders who accepted the federal government’s amnesty programme were fully in support of the programmes and vision of Otuaro and lamented that certain elements were out to destroy the PAP coordinator for selfish reasons.
He said in a statement on Wednesday that their faith in Otuaro’s ability to pilot the affairs of the PAP was unshaken, saying “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”.
Wilson, who has been galvanising all repentant agitators in the region, said the president, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu meant well for the region and made a perfect choice in Otuaro as head of the amnesty office.
To him, rather than pillory Otuaro, his critics should provide constructive criticisms at all times, even as he expressed the suspicion that those who were bent on bringing him down were only pursuing personal agenda.
“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.
“Most of the social media attacks against the PAP coordinator 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.
“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, to enable him and his group arrive at a more accurate and informed account of events of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.”
The group said Otuaro had so far been able to run PAP satisfactorily, sanitising the federal agency and repositioned to in line with the dreams of the founding fathers of the scheme.
“The current transformation at the Presidential Amnesty Office is made possible by the uncommon transformational leadership of High Chief Otuaro. He has also enthroned transparency and accountability in the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
“His transformational leadership and vision has 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 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.
“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”.
