Former Niger Delta agitators have applauded President Bola Tinubu for sustaining the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) initiative since they surrendered arms for skills and other empowerment schemes.
Besides, the former agitators under the aegis of the Akwa Ibom Ex – Militants’ Forum (AIEMF), expressed confidence in the management of the PAP programmes under the Special Adviser (SA) to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Dennis Otuaro.
In a communque made available to Journalists in Uyo, the state capital, and signed by key leaders of different groups including Imoh Okoko, Gen. Ekpo Ekpo; Maj. Gen. Henry Okon Etete, Elder Udom Ebetor, and Udo Bassey, they expressed commitment to sustaining the prevailing peace in the region.
They, therefore, cautioned those seeking the removal of Dr. Otuaro, to sheath their swords in order not to breach the ongoing ceasefire agreement reached with the federal government under the Amnesty Programme.
“The Akwa Ibom Ex-Militants Forum has expressed its unwavering support for the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs – Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, and strongly condemned recent calls by certain individuals and groups for his removal from office.
“As stakeholders and beneficiaries of the Niger Delta peace process, we recognise the critical role of PAP in sustaining peace, rehabilitation, reintegration, human-capital development and economic empowerment across the region.
“Under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership, the Programme has demonstrated a growing emphasis on education, vocational training, skills acquisition, empowerment and sustainable reintegration, beyond the traditional focus on monthly stipends.
“We particularly commend the reported expansion of PAP’s Postgraduate Scholarship Programme,” the communique stated, recalling that “in 2026 alone, 243 Niger Delta youths have reportedly been deployed for postgraduate studies abroad.”
Also listed among the beneficiaries included the 150 recently deployed to Universities in the United Kingdom, in disciplines such as Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Law, Global Public Health, Oil and Gas Engineering, Fintech Analytics, Construction Engineering Management, Forensic Audit and Data Science.
“These investments represent opportunities for young people to acquire knowledge and skills that can contribute meaningfully to the development of the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
“The Forum rejects attempt to create the impression that Dr. Otuaro has lost the confidence of Niger Delta stakeholders. We are particularly concerned that some of the campaigns against him appear to be driven by ethnic, sectional, personal or political interests rather than an objective assessment of the programme’s performance and mandate,” the coalition stressed.