The Ijaw Publishers' Forum (IPF) has fumed at the House of Representatives' Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) threat of issuing a warrant of arrest on the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), High Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, alleging that such action is "another sponsored political attack targeted at an Ijaw son, who has distinguished himself in national service".

The IPF in a press statement signed by its National President, Comrade Austin Ozobo, and its General Secretary, Comrade Tare Magbei, on Monday, said it "expresses deep concern over the 72-hour ultimatum" issued by the Committee on the PAP Boss, and called for caution while executing its assigned functions.

"While Sections 88, 89, and 128 of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to conduct oversight functions, we strongly appeal for caution in applying these powers to a programme as delicate as the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP)," part of the statement reads.

Speaking further the Forum said, "It is necessary to state clearly that the news and allegations being referenced by the Committee relate to an Amnesty Audit Report of 2021, a period long before Chief Dr. Otuaro assumed office. Chief Otuaro was appointed in 2024, and therefore should not be associated with issues arising from an audit that predates his tenure by several years. Any attempt to use a 2021 report to malign a 2024 appointee is misleading and raises concerns about the true intent behind the current aggression.

"This action, coming after claims of six invitations, carries the markings of yet another sponsored political attack targeted at an Ijaw son who has distinguished himself in national service," the IPF stressed, while it also reminded the Committee that the PAP "was not created through legislative consultation, but through direct presidential action because of its sensitive nature."

The Forum stated that Otuaro has succeeded in stabilising the region since his appointment in 2024 which has resulted in increased oil production, while it questioned the motives behind such attacks it said raised suspicion especially since the PAP Boss sanitisation of the Amnesty Office has become his offence by fifth columnists who sponsor protests and are bent on tarnishing not only the Administrator's image, but a deliberate attempt to undermine the Niger Delta and Ijaw Nation.

"The IPF finds it troubling that the same House that now shows unusual urgency in threatening arrest has shown little interest in questioning top officials who publicly sympathise with terrorists and bandits who have caused bloodshed across Nigeria, yet in the case of Dr. Otuaro, a performing Administrator, who has sent thousands of PAP delegates to school and consistently engaged critical stakeholders, the House has drawn its sword swiftly. This cannot be dismissed as coincidence. It reflects a troubling pattern of selective aggression against the Ijaw nation and the wider Niger Delta.

"We emphasize that threatening to arrest Dr. Dennis Otuaro, a respected figure among ex-agitators, risks provoking anger and destabilising the fragile peace currently enjoyed in the Niger Delta. Such actions pose a direct threat to national security and must be avoided.

"It must also be noted that Otuaro’s only so-called offence is that he sanitised the PAP payroll. Those who exploited the system and lost illegitimate benefits are the same people sponsoring protests and petitions locally and internationally. Certain ethnic groups that publicly disowned any link to militancy during the armed agitation in the Niger Delta have suddenly reinvented themselves as ex-agitators because of the benefits that PAP provides.

"This same group has never supported any progressive effort in the Niger Delta. They opposed the creation of Delta State; Warri South-West LGA; Ogbe-Ijoh as headquarters; the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko; and even the Tantita surveillance contract that has helped reduce oil theft. Their pattern is consistent: oppose anything that uplifts the Ijaw people," the IPF alleged.

The IPF vowed it will not remain silent while the image of the Ijaw Nation is attacked under the pretext of oversight, and described the "current development as a broader pattern of attempts to undermine the Niger Delta" especially "Whenever peace begins to take root and oil production stabilizes, certain national and sectional interests attempt to destabilize progress and discredit those delivering results."

While calling on the House to "focus on national emergencies rather than chasing a sensationalised agenda against a man whose work has positively impacted thousands of youths and contributed to national peace and revenue stability," the Forum cautioned that "the legislature must not become a tool for elements who do not seek the country's good."

It further demanded that the House "Step down its current aggressive posture and conduct oversight with fairness and without bias; Avoid actions that could destabilise the fragile peace in the Niger Delta, particularly when the PAP is recording success under Otuaro’s leadership; Prioritise urgent national issues such as insecurity, the soaring cost of living, and failing institutions; and End the pattern of selective harassment targeted at Ijaw leaders and Niger Delta institutions."

The IPF pledged support for Otuaro and re-emphasised on the importance of sustaining the peace in the Niger Delta region which it said "is flourishing under Otuaro’s stewardship" while it "urge all actors to refrain from dragging hardworking leaders into manufactured controversies" and that "The House of Representatives must act with restraint, fairness, and a genuine sense of national duty."

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