...eX agitators Call for Transparency Amidst Payment Delays and Demand the Sack of Dennis Otuaro

In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the Niger Delta community, Dr. Ebebe Watchman has exposed claims regarding Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator of the Amnesty Program, that Otuaro paid a staggering 1.5 billion naira to secure his position within the office. In a voice note shared on the Niger Delta Ex-agitators Network WhatsApp group, Dr. Watchman voiced his deep discontent with Otuaro's leadership and alleged financial impropriety, detailing a series of grievances that have left the program's beneficiaries in despair.

According to Dr. Watchman, during a recent meeting attended by Otuaro and multiple first-phase generals, Otuaro reportedly intimidated the leaders by stating that he will not increase the monthly stipends despite a significant budget increase from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Amnesty budget had risen from 65 billion naira to 115 billion naira under the new administration. However, ex agitators remain stuck with a meager stipend of 65,000 naira—amounting to next to nothing amid climbing inflation—after over 14 years of stagnation in financial support. This already outdated amount starkly contrasts with various government programs, such as the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), which saw their stipends increase from 33,000 to more than 70,000 naira.

Dr. Watchman did not mince words, stressing that the only language understood by Nigerian leaders is protest. He lamented that Otuaro's inability to address the dire needs of 30,000 delegates highlights a severe lack of direction for the Amnesty Program. Instead of focusing on improving the quality of life for delegates, Otuaro appears to prioritize bringing an additional 3,000 individuals into the program which eighty percent will come from his hometown Gbaramatu, a move Dr. Watchman criticizes as nonsensical.

According to Dr. Watchman, Otuaro further revealed that his acquisition of the Amnesty office was backed by a payment of 1.5 billion naira. This shocking admission raises questions about the integrity of the entire operation, particularly as he alleged that he had to bribe Government officials with an additional 5 billion naira for the budget increase. In a startling twist, insiders claim that instead of serving the interests of the delegates, Otuaro diverted funds intended for their stipends for match 2025 to cover his own business interests, thereby further delaying payments for March and causing widespread unrest among ex-agitators.

As frustrations mount, the broader narrative indicates that Otuaro has also attempted to placate select leaders within the program, advocating for the leaders to overlook the grievances of the delegates. Yet Dr. Watchman asserts that the very foundation of this leadership rests upon the delegates themselves; without their backing, leaders have no power. Furthermore, many delegates feel betrayed and express a shared outrage on the WhatsApp group at what they perceive as Otuaro’s neglect and corruption.

Calls from within the ranks of the Niger Delta ex-agitators have become increasingly urgent, pushing for immediate intervention from President Tinubu. The sentiment is clear: Otuaro’s mishandling of the program threatens to incite broader discontent that could escalate into protests, alienating the very ex-agitators whose welfare the program was designed to support.

As discontent brews among the 30,000 ex agitators, Dr. Watchman and other ex-agitators are making a desperate plea to President Tinubu for decisive action. They are urging the president to remove Dennis Otuaro from his position before the situation deteriorates further. Reports suggest that Otuaro’s questionable payments and the stagnation of delegate stipends have fostered a brewing storm of resentment that could ultimately reflect poorly on President Tinubu’s administration.

Despite Otuaro's attempts to shore up support from selected leaders within the Amnesty Program, the overwhelming sentiment remains one of dissatisfaction. Many are calling for a return to the original mandate of the Amnesty Program, a framework designed to uplift ex-agitators and foster stability in the Niger Delta region. It is within this context that the ex-agitators are demanding accountability, transparency, and ultimately, new leadership capable of revitalizing the program.

As the voice of the collective grows louder, it remains to be seen how President Tinubu will respond to the myriad challenges facing the Amnesty Program and the potentially explosive discontent it has sown among those it was meant to benefit. The urgency of the matter is palpable, and time is of the essence for all parties involved.