Leaders and coordinators of the Phase One Ex-agitators have strongly condemned an ongoing campaign to link Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), to a supposedly leaked confidential document involving former President Goodluck Jonathan. The leaders, after meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, over the weekend, warned against blackmail and baseless attacks on Otuaro by detractors within the Niger Delta.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the leaders took particular exception to a video circulated on social media by Jude Gbaboyor, who alleged that Otuaro leaked a sensitive document from the Department of State Services (DSS) related to former President Jonathan. The ex-agitators, led by HRH Henry Binidodogha, Chairman of the First Phase and King of Ofunama, condemned Gbaboyor’s unfounded claims and his attempt to malign prominent Niger Delta leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
“It is our collective conviction that Jude Gbaboyor’s allegations, including claims of leaked DSS documents and his attacks on Dr. Dennis Otuaro, are unfounded, untenable, and unwarranted,” the ex-agitators stated, affirming their confidence that Otuaro has no connection to the supposed leak. They stressed that the PAP office is not an extension of the DSS and that the alleged sensitive document could not have been in Otuaro’s custody.
The ex-agitators highlighted the professionalism of the DSS, calling it one of the most efficient investigative agencies in Nigeria, and dismissed the notion that any third party would need to intervene in its affairs.
“This appears to be a deliberate attempt by Jude Gbaboyor to blackmail Dr. Dennis Otuaro and distract him from his duties,” the group stated, urging Gbaboyor and other detractors to stop their baseless accusations. The ex-agitators praised Otuaro’s achievements in his eight months as PAP Administrator, noting his focus on sustainable peace, security, and development in the Niger Delta.
They also expressed gratitude to National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their support of Otuaro’s leadership. The group encouraged these leaders to continue backing Otuaro to fulfill PAP’s mission for the Niger Delta.
The leaders advised Gbaboyor and others to embrace peace and collaborate for the region’s progress, urging unity in support of Otuaro’s efforts to bring meaningful benefits to the Niger Delta through the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
