The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Otuaro, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to deepening Nigeria’s democratic culture and also broadening the civic space for citizens’ participation in democracy and national development.
Otuaro, who described June 12 as a historic day and a significant rallying point for Nigeria’s democratic advancement, said the Niger Delta region of the country is enjoying the dividends of democracy under the administration of Tinubu.
The PAP boss, in a statement issued on Friday to mark the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, said June 12 represents the cornerstone of the country’s democratic aspirations underlined by freedom of choice by citizens in free, fair and credible elections.
He paid tributes to the memories of MKO Abiola, other political martyrs, and all compatriots for their heroic deeds in the June 12 struggle, stressing that their sacrifices and resilience helped to birth democratic governance in 1999.
Otuaro, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Igoniko Oduma, described Tinubu’s support for the PAP as a demonstration of his strong commitment to sustainable peace and stability in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.
Otuaro attributed the expansion of the PAP’s scholarship scheme, vocational training opportunities, and post-training empowerment initiatives, among others, to the president’s backing and approval of upward review of the programme’s budget.
He noted that over 8,235 undergraduate and postgraduate students on the scholarship scheme, who are studying various industry-relevant courses in foreign and local universities, are as a result of Tinubu’s unprecedented support for the programme.
The PAP boss also highlighted the ongoing Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, the establishment of the South-South Development Commission, Federal University of Environment and Technology in Ogoniland, and the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, among others, as testaments to Tinubu’s strong desire to drive socio-economic growth and development in the region.
Otuaro further stated that Tinubu and the security agencies are working hard and taking necessary steps to improve security in the country, adding that they need the support and cooperation of all citizens to overcome insecurity.
The PAP boss also reiterated his call on former agitators and the youths of the Niger Delta to safeguard the region’s peace and stability in the interest of development of communities.
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He urged them to stand united with the administration of Tinubu for more development and socio-economic growth in the region, stressing that they have a civic role to play in the strengthening of democratic governance.
He also called on people of the Niger Delta to be wary of “some deceivers, who besiege the region with fake promises and blackmail in search of votes.”
Otuaro stressed that Tinubu has backed his promises to the Niger Delta with “practical actions which are visible to all”, adding that the president deserves the region’s support in 2027 for sustained peace and stability.
The PAP boss also thanked Tinubu for his intervention and the creation of the atmosphere for the resolution of the disagreement over the Warri Federal Constituency Ward delineation.
Otuaro said: “I know that President Tinubu has not hidden his love for the Niger Delta. His actions tell the story more than his words.
“His support for the massive education of our people, his creation of federal agencies, commitment to sustained peace and development, all show that he loves our region.
“It will be on record that this particular president has effectively addressed the perennial political crises in the Warri Federal Constituency because of his quest for peace, security and development in the area.
“President Tinubu deserves our support because he has done well for our people. We should reward his hard work with political support come 2027.”
