A youth leader, Collins Oturubo has strongly defended Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP), against what he termed as “baseless and frivolous” allegations made in a video by Mr. Jude.
Oturubo refuted the claims made by Jude, which he stated were aimed at tarnishing Chief Dennis’s reputation.
“Mr. Jude, Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Program, is not one man that will shy away from constructive criticism. As a well-learned leader, he understands the pivotal role of constructive criticism; however, the issues you raised in this video are baseless and frivolous,” Oturubo said.
Oturubo addressed allegations concerning delayed stipend payments to amnesty delegates, labelling the claims as misleading and unfounded.
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He explained, “In your video, you claimed that the delegates are being paid directly by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Sir, I put it to you that you are lying. The CBN does not engage in transactions with individuals. What the CBN does is to disburse funds to the commercial banks where the delegates have their accounts. It is the commercial banks that will pay the delegates.”
He emphasized that Chief Dennis has consistently communicated through reputable media channels that the delays in payments were due to issues with individual banks, not the central program. “If this information was false as you have claimed, the banks would have come out openly to debunk the publications made by the office of the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Program,” Oturubo argued, urging Jude to “make some truthful findings about how the payment is done.”
Oturubo further criticized Jude’s accusations, dismissing them as “shameful gimmicks” aimed at sowing public distrust towards Chief Dennis.
**On Religious Beliefs**
Oturubo also condemned Jude for making derogatory remarks about Chief Dennis’s religious beliefs. “You mocked Chief Dennis’s belief and worship system. It is shameful that you are an Ijaw son; what is even more shameful is the fact that your kinsmen are yet to call you to order,” he stated.
He defended Chief Dennis’s right to practice any religion recognized under Nigerian law, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the Niger Delta struggle. “I know that you know Chief’s contribution to the Niger Delta struggle, and he is one man that will never abandon the belief system that brought us to the limelight in our agitations.”
Regarding claims of Chief Dennis’s alleged incapacity to lead the Presidential Amnesty Program, Oturubo dismissed these accusations as baseless and motivated by ulterior motives.
“This is another of your delusional thoughts generated by your pain and that of your paymasters. It is no longer business as usual in the Presidential Amnesty Program as it used to be for you guys; thus, you have turned into a wailing dog,” he said.
Under Chief Dennis’s leadership, Oturubo affirmed that the program is focused on meaningful development, emphasizing human capital and infrastructure.
“PAP will be used for meaningful developmental purposes in terms of human capital and infrastructural development—not when some persons who claim to be the big five will do as they please with funds meant for the overall good of the Niger Delta.”
Oturubo concluded by calling out Jude and his alleged collaborators, saying, “You can only get the sympathy of gullible minds, but unfortunately, the people of the Niger Delta know those that mean well for them, and Chief Dennis is one of such rare people, unlike you and your paymasters who are after looting the system dry for personal gains.
“Jude, you and your paymasters have lost it in the Niger Delta, and you can’t use Chief Dennis’s hard-earned reputation to gain cheap sympathy and relevance.”
