PAP Boss Gen. Aroni Gets Strong Backing as Amnesty Leaders Denounce Blackmail

General Ken Ben, a prominent Phase 3 leader of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has strongly condemned a recent publication targeting the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, and the National President of the First Phase Ex-Agitators’ Leaders Forum, General Aroni Oputu (also known as General Aroni).

The condemnation follows a controversial report by a coalition accusing Dr. Otuaro of undermining the Niger Delta liberation struggle.

The group alleged that Oputu, whom they labeled a “notorious armed robber,” was wrongfully appointed to represent Phase One ex-agitators.

But dismissing the publication as a baseless blackmail attempt, General Ken Ben stated that the report was orchestrated by “enemies of progress” aiming to smear hard-earned reputations and trigger an artificial conflict between General Aroni and his brother, Pastor Ruben.

Ken Ben defended General Aroni’s credentials, noting that he is a recognized, front-line freedom fighter who legitimately surrendered arms in 2009 under the ‘Underdog Camp 2’ in Warri North Local Government Area.

He challenged detractors to verify these records with the Presidential Amnesty Office.

Furthermore, Ken Ben emphasized that Aroni currently serves as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Security to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, after serving under three successive state administrations.

In 2010, he was appointed to the Delta State Waterways Security Committee under Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan. During Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s first term, he joined the Waterways and Land Security Committee, and was elevated to Special Assistant (SA) on Security during Okowa’s second term.

“Are the detractors, led by the so called Tare Deseimoham, suggesting that three successive governors lacked discernment?” Ken Ben argued, noting that an individual with a criminal record could never secure such sensitive security clearances across multiple administrations.

He added that; “If General Aroni Oputu were not a responsible and capable leader, he would not have been honored with a prestigious chieftaincy title in Egbema Kingdom.

Clarifying Aroni’s leadership mandate, Ken Ben stated that Aroni was democratically elected by his peers, and not arbitrarily imposed by Dr. Otuaro.

He urged the general public to disregard the propaganda, attributing it to detractors envious of the peace achieved under the current PAP leadership.

Regarding Pastor Ruben, Ken Ben noted that his background and entry into the amnesty programme are well known locally. While critics claim Ruben was the “first president” of Phase One to paint him as the sole combatant, Ken Ben clarified that Ruben surrendered his arms just like the other participants.

“I know Pastor Ruben did not authorize these faceless individuals to write this trash,” Ken Ben added.

“This is a desperate attempt by external agents to create enmity between General Aroni and his brother from Bayelsa.”

Ken Ben concluded that those behind the blackmail are cowards terrified of the progress and transformation being made under Dr. Dennis Otuaro.

“Rather than questioning the records of General Aroni Oputu, I recommend that these detractors have their own brains checked, or be recommended to their respective state governors for immediate admission into a rehabilitation centre,” Ken Ben said.

“The records of Aroni Oputu are clean, his camp is verifiable, and his service to the Niger Delta is unshakeable.”