OPen Letter on PAP: Akiefa Defends Otuaro, Says Detractors Plotting to Derail Reforms, urges Tinubu to ignore “self-serving narratives”
By Ezekiel Kagbala
A prominent Niger Delta youth leader and ex-agitator, Chief Comrade Frank Akiefa, has strongly refuted claims made in a recent open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the allegations against the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) as “misleading, exaggerated, and driven by narrow interests.”
In a statement made available to journalists, Akiefa said the open letter by some individuals claiming to represent first-phase ex-agitators does not reflect the broader reality within the Programme, insisting that the current leadership under Dennis Otuaro has remained focused on reform, transparency, and long-term impact.
According to him, the narrative of marginalization and neglect being pushed in the letter is “a calculated attempt by a few disgruntled elements to discredit ongoing progress and frustrate meaningful reforms introduced to reposition the Programme.”
Akiefa noted that the PAP, since its establishment, was never designed to serve as a perpetual welfare scheme but as a strategic intervention for reintegration, human capital development, and sustainable livelihoods.
He commended Otuaro’s leadership for prioritizing skills acquisition, education, and empowerment initiatives over what he described as “unsustainable demands for increased stipends without productivity.”
“While we acknowledge the sacrifices of early beneficiaries, it is important to state that the Programme must evolve beyond handouts to empowerment. The current administration is rightly investing in youth training and development to secure the future of the Niger Delta,” Akiefa said.
Responding to claims of exclusion and lack of engagement, Akiefa maintained that the PAP leadership has consistently operated an open-door policy, engaging stakeholders across phases and communities.
He dismissed allegations of financial mismanagement as “baseless and lacking credible evidence,” adding that the Programme remains subject to government oversight and accountability frameworks.
“Calls for a forensic audit should not be weaponized as political tools. If there are genuine concerns, there are institutional channels to address them rather than resorting to public sensationalism,” he added.
On the issue of scholarship allocation, Akiefa clarified that the Programme has expanded its scope to accommodate broader development goals, ensuring that opportunities are based on merit, need, and strategic impact rather than narrow affiliations.
He stressed that inclusiveness should not be misinterpreted as exclusion of original beneficiaries, but rather as a deliberate effort to stabilize the region through wider engagement.
Akiefa cautioned against planned protests in Abuja, warning that such actions, though described as peaceful, could be hijacked by elements seeking to destabilize the fragile peace in the Niger Delta.
He urged stakeholders to prioritize dialogue and constructive engagement over actions that could send negative signals to investors and development partners.
Reaffirming support for President Tinubu, Akiefa called on Niger Delta leaders and ex-agitators to align with the Federal Government’s broader development agenda, noting that sustained peace in the region depends on unity and cooperation.
“The gains of the Amnesty Programme must be protected. We must resist attempts by political detractors to reverse the progress being recorded under Dr. Otuaro,” he stated.
Akiefa further appealed to the President to remain focused on strengthening institutions like the PAP, while ignoring “divisive narratives” that could undermine ongoing reforms.
Observers note that the latest exchange of views highlights growing tensions among stakeholders within the Amnesty Programme, even as the Federal Government continues efforts to reposition it for long-term stability.
For Akiefa and his supporters, however, the path forward is clear: consolidation of reforms, expansion of opportunities, and a shift from dependency to development in the Niger Delta.
