By Oscar Okhifo
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has vowed not to succumb to alleged blackmail and intimidation by individuals opposed to the enforcement of the Federal Government’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) policy within the programme.
Otuaro accused some individuals in the Niger Delta of sponsoring a campaign of calumny against his leadership, insisting that the PAP would not abandon the government’s policy aimed at curbing fraudulent banking practices.
The position of the programme was contained in a statement issued on November 4, 2026, and signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma.
The statement condemned what it described as spurious allegations against the PAP leadership, stressing that the BVN policy, which links bank accounts belonging to individuals, would be implemented without exception.
“It has come to the attention of the Office that a group of people are making spurious allegations over the PAP leadership’s adherence to the policy on BVN. We strongly condemn these allegations.
“The PAP office cannot be the exception in the execution of the government’s policy on BVN designed to eradicate corruption in the society.
“Clearly, anybody using the tool of blackmail to arm-twist the office to sideline BVN is either a criminal or a fraudster who should be under security watch. The Office has asked them to come for verification of their claims, but they will not,” the statement said.
The programme alleged that those behind the attacks were opposed to Otuaro’s financial management practices and reforms introduced to eliminate fraudulent activities that had previously undermined its mandate.
It said the alleged blackmailers were motivated by greed and sought to tarnish the administrator’s image and distract him from his responsibilities.
“These serial blackmailers are purveyors of falsehood and hollow narratives; they are driven by sheer greed with the sole objective of denting Dr Otuaro’s image and distracting him from focusing on the task given to him by President Bola Tinubu.
“These misguided elements are angry with Dr Otuaro for prudent management of resources, and introducing reforms that have sanitized the PAP. It is a fact that the Administrator has plugged all the loopholes which they and their ilk had hitherto manipulated for their selfish interests.
“Many of them are angered by what is statutorily paid to them by the Office. The BVN policy is a policy of the Federal Government, not the PAP’s.
“Some want to be awarded bogus contracts which, the Office under Dr Otuaro, is not inclined to do. These are the reasons for their persistent attacks against him,” the statement added.
The PAP said funds allocated to the programme would be deployed judiciously to promote lasting peace and security in the Niger Delta, rather than meeting what it described as the demands of blackmailers and their sponsors.
“The PAP, under Dr Otuaro’s leadership, will not be stampeded into using funds meant for the educational and vocational empowerment of Niger Delta youths to satisfy the large appetites of serial blackmailers and their sponsors,” the statement said.
Highlighting the administration’s achievements, the programme disclosed that Otuaro had awarded scholarships to 13,300 beneficiaries onshore and more than 500 offshore, in addition to distributing laptops to beneficiaries.
It also said the administrator had ensured the prompt payment of monthly stipends to ex-agitators while expanding opportunities for vocational and professional training.
According to the statement, four cadet pilots and 20 other aviation trainees had secured employment after completing their training, while 40 cadets were undergoing on-the-job training.
The programme added that 98 maritime cadets had obtained professional certification, while more than 360 stakeholders had been trained in alternative dispute resolution and mediation.
It further stated that the administration had intensified engagement with stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen the peace-building process and promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
The PAP attributed the progress recorded in service delivery and human capital development to Otuaro’s prudent management of resources and commitment to the programme’s mandate.
The Office urged the public to disregard what it described as false and misleading allegations against the administrator, while expressing appreciation to Niger Delta stakeholders and leaders for supporting his vision of sustainable peace, socio-economic growth and community development in the region.