PAP: There Are No Issues to Protest, We will Arrest Impostors Behind Call For November 2nd Protest – Aroni Warns Delegates

By Monday Peters, Abuja

Following a viral voice note by some alleged ex-agitators calling on members of the three phases of the presidential amnesty programme to converge in Abuja for a protest on November 2nd, the National Chairman of the First Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Chief Oputu Aroni, has distanced the forum from the planned action.

Aroni described those behind the voice note as impostors and warned that no protest has been authorised by the leadership of the three phases.

According to him, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, is performing well and enjoys the support of genuine beneficiaries, hence there is no basis for any protest.

“Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro PhD is doing well and everyone is supporting him, there was no plan for any protest on November 2nd in Abuja,” he said.

Speaking on the contentious BVN issues, Aroni alleged that many of those complaining were using fake names to collect bulk payments.

He noted that the PAP office has already resolved BVN challenges for many genuine ex-agitators and is ready to attend to others with genuine claims.

“The office is ready to attend to people with genuine claims, but not fraudulent people,” he stated.

He urged affected beneficiaries with genuine issues to resolve their BVN problems with their banks and participate in the ongoing verification exercise.

Aroni maintained that Dr. Otuaro has surpassed the records of previous administrators in areas of foreign and local education, vocational training and prompt payment of stipends.

According to him, no previous administrator had beaten Dr. Otuaro’s records, adding that the PAP boss deserves commendation and not distraction from enemies of the Niger Delta who prioritize personal interest above collective welfare.

He warned delegates not to fall prey to those calling for protest in Abuja, stressing that anyone who goes will be arrested.

“We didn’t authorise the purported November 2nd protest. Whoever is spreading that should be ignored. Those calling beneficiaries from phase one, phase two and phase three to gather for protest should be ignored. The information is false and nobody should answer that call,” Aroni said.

“I am the National Chairman of Phase One of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum. I am the number one man that should speak for even phase two and phase three. So I am speaking with authority. There is no protest anywhere.

“I am warning members of phase one, phase two and phase three not to follow those making that noise, people should not follow them to Abuja. If they go to Abuja, as I’m emphasising, they will not come back. I will get all of them arrested. This is a serious matter and I am not joking.

“Please ignore the call. Nobody should go. If they have any genuine issues, let them call the office politely and discuss, or they should call me for advice so we can sort things out.

“We cannot continue to fight our brother that is in the office. They want to gather people to go to Abuja to fight the hardworking man, no way. I will not sit and allow it, so those planning such evil plans be warned.

“I am the father of phase one, phase two, phase three – everybody’s father. So I am speaking on behalf of phase one, phase two, phase three and that people should ignore that voice note and plans for the purported November 2nd protest by impostors,” he warned.