Facts have beginning to emerge on how the Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s alleged planned sponsored protest against his predecessor, Mr. Emmanuel Uduaghan slated for Tuesday, February, 2017 at the cenotaph in Asaba, the state capital got crashed.
The Anti-Uduaghan planned protest, allegedly been sponsored by Mr. Okowa, his principal secretary, Mr. Hilary Ibegbulem and few others, HardReporters reliably gathered is not unconnected to Okowa’s second term ambition and past Uduaghan’s stand against his 2015 governorship ambition.
Our anonymous government house sources who confided in us disclosed that, Okowa, who had earlier commended all arrangements been put in place by his handlers of the anti protest, went to sleep with his two eyes closed and only to wake up with rude shock that the state police command and other security agents have conclude all necessary arrangements to frustrate the Uduaghan anti protest and pro protest.
A top security personnel in the state confided in HardReporters that governor Okowa was confronted over one Oliver, whom his is allegedly been sponsored to prosecute the anti-Uduaghan protest, but Okowa deceptively disowned the said Oliver saying he had only met the Oliver once in his entire life.
“My boss confronted governor Okowa over one Fejiro Oliver who is championing the anti-Uduaghan protest but, Okowa deceptively denounced the boy that he does not have any affiliation with him and has only met the so called Oliver in his entire life. But we know that his denial is a deceptive one to cover up.
“Because we know that he gave the boy a VIP room in government house lodge right there in the government house where he stays. Since the governor has refused to stop the boy, we don’t need any prophet to tell us that the governor has a hand in the whole scripts been played out.” our source said.
It was gathered that after falling in all other areas to deal with his predecessor, Okowa, known for his politics of vendetta, finally settled for anti protest against Uduaghan, using some well known blackmailers in the state to execute his last option.
It was gathered that during a meeting in his office, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim warned both parties to sheath their sword as any attempt to carry out any protest shall be resisted with the force and organisers will be made to force the law.
But despite the state commissioner of police warning, the organisers of the anti Uduaghan sponsored protest it was gathered have vowed to carry on with their protest while the organisers of the pro Uduaghan protest have also vowed to come out to counter any anti Uduaghan protest.
Speaking with the commissioner of police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim on the issue, the police boss confirmed the Monday meeting with both parties and threatened to deal decisively with anyone flouting his orders as far as the issue of the protests is concerned.
“It is not to my knowledge that a new date has been fixed to carry out any protest in the state. Because I told both parties the implications of their protests should they go on with it and my command will not sit and watch anyone trying to truncate the peace we enjoy in the state.” the CP warned.
HardReporters recalled that the two groups had few hours to the boastful protest called it off.
One Samuel Meyiwa Khalil, the organiser of the “IStandWithUduaghan” protest said
“In view of our proposed state wide protest in Solidarity of Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan coming up on the 28/02/2017, we are directed to announce to the members of the general public that the State Police Commissioner has advised that we shelve all forms of protest for the sake of the prevailing peace we currently enjoy in the state. However, a new date shall be communicated to all our members who have indicated interest to be part of the solidarity Protest for his Excellency.
“Remember, we will not allow agents of blackmail and criminal recalcitrants put our state into turmoil. It is no news that #IStandWithUduaghan.”
While one of the organisers of the
#IstandforJailUduaghan” protest, Fejiro Oliver said “Suspension of February 28th protest against Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan to March 2017. Patriots, one of the hardest decision to take in my life came today, the decision to shed blood or to go ahead yet no blood shed. Our intention to protest against Uduaghan tomorrow is borne solely out of our love for the State.
“The Delta State Commissioner of Police invited us for a meeting. As abiding citizen, we went there and shockingly met One Samuel Meyiwa Khali and 6 Pro Uduaghan members. The Commissioner we must confess alongside 4 of his other colleagues pleaded with us to consider the security of the state and Deltans who are more than ready to protest calling on Uduaghan to return his loot and get jailed.
“No one can bribe us. No one can pay us. God forbid that we sell a genuine cause for morsel of bread. May history record us right. Will we protest? YES. When? In one week time. The protest MUST go on but not tomorrow where the police have agreed not to provide security but will do so when we protest on separate days.”
At the cenotaph, venue of the anti-Uduaghan protest was empty as stern looking police men barricaded the entrance with patrol hilux vans.
Meanwhile, a group called ‘Delta State Political Forum’ in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Odima Afam Chukwu, the Secretary-General, Chief Ororo Dave Ogheneovo and the Publicity Secretary, Comrade Odume Val Odume and made available to newsmen in Asaba has condemned in its entirety the alleged planned/sponsored protest against former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
The group warned governor Okowa and his principal secretary to call their “blackmailers” to order and desist from any act capable of igniting crisis in the state adding that they may be tempted to launch a massive protest against Okowa should his “blackmailers” carry out any protest against the former governor and any political officer holder who served under him.
