By Steve Seigha, Warri
Niger Delta region armed ex-agitators under the auspices of Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) have condemned in totality calls by faceless group, otherwise styled itself as Project Niger Delta (PND) calling on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to sack the new amnesty programme chairman.
The group urged Mr. President to ignore calls by whatever group to sack Dr. Dennis Otuaro, saying that Dr.Otuaro’s appointment is on merit and would perform meritoriously.
In a press statement on Monday, Capt. Mark Anthony said, ”’We are surprised on calls by faceless group in Niger Delta, known as Project Niger Delta in an open letter signed by one Prince will Timipre Ebebi, urging President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to replace the appointment of Dr. Dennis Otuaro on the ground of being a candidate of Pa Chief E. K Clark and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tomopolo for occupying the chairmanship position of the federal amnesty programme and special adviser to Mr. President on Niger Delta matters.
”PND seems not to have respect for the two names mentioned above in Ijaw nation or Niger Delta region. Where was PND in Niger Delta when the region was on fire over the region. What was their contribution in media or armed agitation to the region?” ex-agitators queried.
”We want to warn those trying to belittle or embarrass names of these two personalities mentioned above in the media to be extremely careful that ex-agitators in Niger Delta will not take it with kid gloves with any of such persons to disparage Pa. E.K. Clark and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo following their vital contributions to the ”Niger Delta struggle.
”We want to clarify before any doubting Thomas that Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s appointment was based on merit as he faced a rigorous selection process with other candidates before he was selected and appointed to man the presidential amnesty programme as chairman”’ he said.
Continuing ”Chief E.k. Clark deserves whatever achievements he has achieved in Niger Delta, including his private University in Kiagbodo as a reward for his contribution towards the emancipation struggle of Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region. Therefore, itermising Chief E K. Clarks personal achievement makes the group ridiculous and senseless.
”We call on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to ignore calls from anywhere to sack Dr. Dennis Otuaro as Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty programme. That the entire Ijaw Ijaw nation and Niger Delta region are happy and rejoicing over his appointment and he will deliver meritoriously following his antecedents on his job as chairman of the amnesty programme” the group added.
