Gen. Tonye Bobo Warns Against “Desperate Moves” to Sabotage High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro’s Leadership

A renowned Niger Delta ex-agitator, General Tonye Bobo, has raised concerns about what he described as an orchestrated campaign of petitions and media attacks against High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

In a statement made available our correspondent, Bobo called on the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be cautious of “so-called former Niger Delta warlords and their shenanigans.”

He alleged that certain ex-agitators have developed a habit of blackmailing public office holders from the Niger Delta region. “Instead of making efforts to attract more appointments and developmental projects to the Niger Delta, these individuals have spent years fighting to dislodge federal appointees who refuse to meet their outrageous demands,” Bobo said.

The former National Chairman of the Third Phase Ex-agitators Forum noted that the PAP administrators have been the primary targets of such individuals. “They believe they are the sole architects of the Amnesty Office and, as such, expect administrators to bow to their demands and award lucrative contracts to them and their allies. This mindset is the root cause of the endless petitions against every PAP leader,” he remarked.

Bobo argued that the establishment of the PAP was a collective effort of various Niger Deltans and not the achievement of a select few. He urged these individuals to channel their resources into productive ventures rather than blackmailing PAP administrators for personal gains.

READ ALSO: PAP Graduates Issue Vote of Confidence on High Chief Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro’s Led Administration

“We all carried arms and fought for the Federal Government to prioritize the interest of our region. The PAP’s establishment cannot be credited to one or two leaders but to the collective efforts of all freedom fighters,” Bobo emphasized.

He further described the behaviour of such ex-agitators as selfish and counterproductive, comparing them unfavourably to enterprising leaders like Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo). He called on them to emulate Tompolo by investing their resources in lucrative businesses rather than disrupting the administration of PAP.

On the current administration of Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Bobo affirmed that many well-meaning PAP delegates and stakeholders are satisfied with his leadership. He warned that the persistent distractions could hinder the success of the programme.

“This ugly trend is not good for the region and Nigeria as a whole. We must come together to put an end to it,” he said.

He cautioned that any attempts to undermine Otuaro’s administration would not bode well for the Niger Delta. “The desperate group of ex-agitators hellbent on frustrating Otuaro should know that those supporting him are greater and stronger. We are watching their moves closely,” he concluded.