The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, has appealed to former agitators in the Niger Delta to shun division and work together to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027.

According to him, the continued support for the President was in the strategic interest of the Ijaw people and the wider Niger Delta region, stressing that unity among stakeholders was necessary to protect and advance the region’s interests.

He made this appeal on Tuesday when a delegation of former agitators visited him in Abuja and commended the reforms being implemented under his leadership.

“My appeal to our ex-agitators is that nothing should divide us; 2027 is already here. Let us back the President and mobilise for him to win a second term.

“We should not allow anybody to cause division among us or trade us for a new hope. It is within our strategic national interest to support the President to secure victory,” Otuaro said.

The PAP administrator also commended the former agitators and other stakeholders in the region for their support for the programme’s peacebuilding efforts.

According to him, their cooperation had been massive and encouraging and had contributed significantly to sustaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

He described the reforms being implemented by the programme, particularly its education and empowerment initiatives, as crucial to preparing a brighter future for young people in the region.

“Their support and cooperation have been massive and encouraging, working together with the Office to sustain peace and stability, and the generations we are preparing for a greater tomorrow in the Niger Delta through huge scholarships,” he stated.

Otuaro said the PAP had expanded its scholarship programme and increased the number of beneficiaries studying in Nigerian and foreign universities.

He disclosed that about 8,700 beneficiaries were currently enrolled in tertiary institutions within Nigeria, while more than 270 others were studying at universities outside the country.

According to him, 93 beneficiaries were deployed to institutions in January and May, while another 150 were scheduled to proceed for studies abroad in August and September.

The PAP boss said the education and empowerment initiatives formed part of efforts to equip young people in the region with the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Niger Delta.

He further stated that President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, were pleased with the progress being made in sustaining peace and stability in the region.

Otuaro urged stakeholders to remain committed to peace, warning that the stability achieved in the Niger Delta should not be taken for granted.

He said sustaining peace was not the responsibility of government alone but required the collective cooperation of former agitators, community leaders, youth groups and other critical stakeholders.

Earlier, the National Chairman of the PAP Phase Leaders Forum, Ibena Rufus Salvation, said the delegation visited Otuaro to acknowledge what he described as the achievements recorded by the programme under his leadership.

Salvation particularly praised the PAP’s education and empowerment initiatives, saying they had provided opportunities for thousands of Niger Delta youths to acquire education and skills both within and outside the country.

The delegation also commended Otuaro for what it described as the prudent management of PAP resources and his commitment to improving the welfare and future prospects of beneficiaries.

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