The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has dismissed claims that Dr Dennis Otuaro, the new Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, is not a member of the party in the state.
A body known as Delta State APC Transparency and Advocacy Group had alleged that Otuaro, who was in March appointed by President Bola Tinubu as Administrator of the PAP, is not a member of the APC.
Otuaro replaced the Interim Administrator of the PAP, Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd.), who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari on September 15, 2022.
The Delta State APC Transparency and Advocacy Group had urged Tinubu to replace Otuaro with a registered member of APC in Delta State.
However, in a statement released on Thursday, executives of the Delta State APC stated that Otuaro is not just a bonafide member of the APC in the state but also a key financier and supporter of the party.
The statement was jointly signed by Surveyor Akarogbe Peter, Delta State APC Secretary; Prince Austin Oribioye,
Delta South APC Senatorial District Chairman; Hon. Amabiri Paul Azorbo,
Delta State APC Auditor; Hon. Napoleon Kenerekedi, Delta State APC Youth Leader; and Hon. Ayu Hoplyn, Delta State APC Welfare Secretary.
‘’We the executive members of APC in Delta South wish to state without equivocation that Chief Dr Dennis Otuaro, (PhD) is a bonafide (card-carrying) member of our party, the APC, who has made outstanding sacrifices and contributions to the party since 2019.
“His contribution in the last general election in Delta State cannot be swept away by mischief-makers,” the statement said.
The party executives also stated that they are not aware of the ‘Delta State APC Transparency and Advocacy Group’ which alleged that Otuaro is not a member of the APC.
“This group is not known to the APC in Delta South and indeed the entire state. Also, the supposed Coordinator, Comrade Clever Fomana and Secretary, Luke F Orotoma, are non-existent characters created by disgruntled people to cause unnecessary distraction in our party,’’ the statement observed.
The Delta State APC urged party members in the state and stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to support the new PAP administrator.
“That should be everyone’s concern and interest right now, rather than petty squabbles over previous elections,” the party executives added in the statement.
The Delta State APC executives commended the President for appointing Otuaro, who they described as a critical stakeholder in the Amnesty Programme.
“We are happy that the President decided to appoint a grassroots politician and a critical stakeholder in the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from the APC in Delta State to lead the strategic Presidential Amnesty Programme to ensure the sustenance of peace and increased economic activities in the Niger Delta.”
The Delta State APC executives added that, instead of attempting to pull down their own, the people of the Niger Delta should be clamouring for more important positions in the Tinubu administration.
“Our region is the highest revenue earner for the country and we deserve more critical appointments that reflect our vast resources and importance in the grand scheme of things.
“We believe that the President has always had good intentions for the Niger Delta and the desired development of the region. He has continually demonstrated this fatherly role to ensure the prevalence of peace and growth of economic activities in the region,” the statement stressed.
