PAP: IYE slams Otuaro, says bypassing of Olu of Warri’s Rep, affront to due process

The Itsekiri Youth Elites, IYE, has slammed Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, describing Dr. Otuaro’s alleged bypassing of Dr. Shola Mese, the Sole Itsekiri Representative to the Office of the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme as “an affront to due process and the authority of the Olu of Warri.”

The pro-Itsekiri organization, which made the declaration in an electronic statement made available to Fresh Angle International, Tuesday October 28, maintained that Dr. Shola Mese, former Coordinator of the Niger Delta Disarmament Programme, remains the legitimate channel for all PAP allocations meant for the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.

While accusing the Amnesty Boss of abuse of office, ethnic favouritism and discriminatory allocation of amnesty benefits, IYE in the statement e-signed by its Secretary and Public Relations Officer, Comrade Eboma Tuoyo Michael and Comrade Toju Ogharanduku, respectively, claimed that Dr. Utuaro, has systematically sidelined Itsekiri ex-agitators, while diverting amnesty slots to the Ijaw ethnic group.

They warned that continued neglect by the Federal Government, could spark fresh unrest and militancy in the Niger Delta region.

According to them, the actions of the PAP boss violate established protocols, which stipulate that allocations due to the Itsekiri people must be routed through the Palace of the Olu of Warri; the traditional custodian of the Itsekiri Nation.

“The Itsekiri ethnic nationality has been shortchanged, oppressed, and systematically deprived of its rightful benefits under the Presidential Amnesty Programme. This abuse of office will not be tolerated any longer,” the statement reads.

The group further warned that if the Federal Government fails to intervene and address the injustice, the situation may degenerate into another phase of agitation and unrest in the Niger Delta.

IYE lamented that despite several petitions and documented evidence submitted against Otuaro’s alleged misconduct, the Federal Government has remained indifferent.

They alleged that the Sole Administrator representing the Olu of Warri on PAP matters has repeatedly written letters to the Amnesty Office seeking recognition for proper representation, but the Amnesty boss has deliberately ignored them.

The group described Otuaro’s leadership style as tribalistic, biased, and unfit for a sensitive national position, arguing that his actions have eroded the credibility of the Amnesty Programme.

They vowed to mobilize Itsekiri youths and ex-agitators for a mass protest if the anomalies are not urgently corrected, insisting that equity and fairness must prevail in the distribution of PAP benefits.

Highlighting the historical marginalization of the Itsekiri people in the Niger Delta, IYE noted that the current crisis over the Amnesty Programme is a continuation of long-standing exclusion in matters of resource control, federal representation, and land ownership.

They, called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser to urgently intervene, ensure transparency, and restore justice by enforcing equitable distribution of amnesty slots through the recognized Itsekiri structures to safeguard peace and stability in the region.

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