IPDI Defends Dr. Otuaro, Dismisses Allegations by Faceless NDSF, NDEN, Urges Public to Disregard Claims,

By EgbemaVoice,

Prominent Niger Delta Advocacy Group, the Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI has noted with concern a statement circulating under the name “Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum and Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities” containing a series of allegations, missive, baseless insinuations, and demands regarding the management of the Programme and its administrator, Chief Dennis Otuaro.

The statement was signed by its national president Amb. Comrade Ozobo Austin said, "We consider it necessary to respond point by point to correct misconceptions, reject unsubstantiated claims, and keep the record straight in the interest of PAP beneficiaries, stakeholders, and the general public.

"It is worthy of note that the PAP operates under strict federal financial regulations and is subject to routine audits by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Ministry of Finance, and other oversight bodies. All disbursements, including stipends, vocational training, education support, and third-party contracts, are processed through the Treasury Single Account, TSA, with verifiable records", the statement read.

According to the IPDI, the Programme welcomes lawful criticism and scrutiny at any time. However, linking such a call to specific individuals without evidence amounts to trial by the media and undermines due process. "Dr Dennis Otuaro, administrator of the presidential amnesty programme has maintained a good record of financial management, hence no formal petition with verifiable evidence has been submitted to any anti-graft agency till date".

"It may interest you to know that the N65,000 monthly stipend is fixed by the Appropriation Act and can only be reviewed through a budgetary process approved by the National Assembly and the Presidency. The PAP management has consistently conveyed beneficiaries’ concerns on cost of living to relevant authorities".

"Again, claims that allocations to the Programme have risen significantly while stipends remain unchanged misrepresenting the budget structure. Note, increased allocations in recent years have been tied to expanded reintegration programs, education sponsorships, skills acquisition, and infrastructure support for training centers, not solely to stipend payments".

The group reiterated that the allegation that the Amnesty Programme Office “kidnaps and detains delegates” is false, reckless, and defamatory, adding that the PAP has no paramilitary or law enforcement mandate, nor does it operate detention facilities and that any incident involving law enforcement is outside the control and purview of the Programme. "We challenge the authors to provide verifiable details of time, place, and persons involved so the matter can be addressed through appropriate legal channels".

On Claims of Selective Empowerment and 500% Payment Increases, the group maintained that payments to contractors, ex-agitator leaders, and service providers were governed by existing contracts and agreements predating the current administration. "No individual or camp has received unilateral increases without contractual basis or due process. Allegations of 500% increases are unsubstantiated and designed to stoke division among beneficiaries". 

"The current administration has maintained a policy of transparency in engagement with leaders and has expanded inclusion by verifying and capturing previously omitted beneficiaries where due", IPDI added.

The group further said, "the PAP remains a neutral, peace-building institution established under the 2009 Amnesty Declaration. Its mandate is to coordinate disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration. The Office does not engage in political victimization, intimidation, or exclusion of stakeholders. Engagement with ex-agitator leaders and community structures is conducted based on their role in maintaining peace and facilitating reintegration, not political alignment".

"The PAP under Chief Denis Otuaro’s leadership remains committed to transparency, fairness, and the original mandate of the Amnesty Programme. Constructive criticism is welcome and has informed policy adjustments in the past. However, campaigns of calumny, unverified allegations, and attempts to drag the Programme into commercial or political disputes do not serve the interest of peace in the Niger Delta", IPDI.

"We urge all stakeholders to channel grievances through the established engagement channels of the Programme and to avoid statements that threaten the fragile stability we have worked to sustain".

However, we use this medium to urge members of the public to disregard flimsy and unsubstantiated allegations, misconception, and missives by faceless groups above". IPDI added.