The Chairman of the Genuine Leaders of Ex-Agitators, Victor Occasion, has categorically denounced a recent online publication purportedly authored by certain disgruntled individuals posing as former agitators, which contained veiled threats directed at the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro.
In a strongly worded statement, Occasion characterized the publication as a calculated attempt to subvert the steady gains of the Programme and to malign the integrity of the Administrator. He asserted that no bona fide beneficiary of the Amnesty Programme—particularly one who has witnessed the current trajectory of reform and progress—would seek to undermine the leadership of Dr. Otuaro.
“The spurious claims and inflammatory rhetoric embedded in that publication are not only misleading but are a disservice to the peace and stability painstakingly nurtured across the Niger Delta,” Occasion stated. “Dr. Otuaro’s administration has instituted a renewed ethos of accountability, transparency, and empowerment—cornerstones that any sincere stakeholder should applaud.”
Occasion further admonished individuals or groups leveraging the language of justice as a façade for destabilization, warning that such conduct is both counterproductive and unacceptable. He urged all parties with genuine concerns to employ proper institutional channels, reaffirming that constructive dialogue remains the most credible path to resolution.
“We cannot, and will not, allow any shadowy coalition of actors to hold the Niger Delta to ransom through threats or coercion masked as advocacy,” he continued. “This region has endured too much to have its hard-won peace imperiled by elements who neither represent the will nor the welfare of the people.”
Reiterating his unwavering support for Dr. Otuaro, Occasion underscored that any effort to discredit the Administrator or derail the reintegration process will be met with resolute opposition by the community of genuine ex-agitators.
“Let it be known that any attempt to smear the reputation of Dr. Otuaro or interrupt the functioning of the Programme shall not go unchallenged. We issue this final advisory to all faceless groups: cease these distractions or be prepared to face the appropriate legal consequences,” he cautioned.
In closing, Occasion emphasized that the transformative initiatives currently being driven under Dr. Otuaro’s stewardship—ranging from expanded economic empowerment schemes to comprehensive vocational development and the institutionalization of timely stipends—reflect a renewed vision for sustainable peace and inclusive growth. He called on all sincere beneficiaries and stakeholders to rise above distractions and remain steadfast in their commitment to the collective aspirations of the region, urging them to repudiate the divisive antics of detractors whose motivations are rooted in personal gain rather than communal progress.
