Entreaty for Tranquillity: Preserving the Gains of the Amnesty Programme under Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, By Ben Binebai

The appointment of Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro as Amnesty Administrator has been received with profound honour and widespread acclaim across the nation. From the moment he assumed office, his steadfast commitment to the ideals of peace, reconciliation, and development has set a new benchmark for public service in the Niger Delta—a region long battered by cycles of conflict and underdevelopment. Under his visionary leadership, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has not only restored a fragile calm but has also unlocked unprecedented opportunities for infrastructure, education, and sustainable livelihoods, earning the respect of traditional leaders, civil‑society groups, and ordinary citizens alike. His transparent approach, coupled with a keen understanding of the complex historical grievances that have plagued the area, has instilled a renewed sense of hope and confidence in the government’s ability to deliver lasting solutions.

Attempts to arrest him—despite the stability and unprecedented handling of the programme’s goals and mandate he has delivered—are both sad and ludicrous, especially since the allegations stem from a period when he was not in office.

Therefore, we urge that public pronouncements on sensitive matters be couched in measured language, lest they inflame tensions or erode the hard‑won goodwill that has been painstakingly cultivated. In this present epoch, Nigeria and the Niger Delta crave peace and prosperity above all else, and the spectre of conflict must be shunned lest it undo the fragile harmony we have achieved.

It is incumbent upon our elected legislators, as custodians of the nation’s destiny, to exercise wisdom and restraint, ensuring their utterances fortify rather than destabilise. A judicious tone will bolster the programme’s gains, inspire confidence, and allow constructive dialogue to flourish.

Let us rally behind a spirit of unity, safeguarding the tranquillity that now graces our region and paving the way for enduring development and national cohesion.