Leadership Tussle: save us from Okowa led PDP – Ekakpamre community cries out

The people of Ekakpamre community, Delta State have called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector – general of police, Idris Muhammed, and all relevant authorities to save them from the unceasing torment in the hands of the governor Ifeanyi Okowa led PDP administration.

They alleged in their cry that the administration in its plot to impose one of its own; Chief Aladey Nuwanwan as the next President – general of the community union, and other executives has resorted to harassment, intimidation and indiscriminate arrest of persons who are resisting them and perceived members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Outgoing President – general, Chief Mukoro Abraham speaking to journalists in Benin alleged that special assistant to the Governor on protocol, Simon Umudi a.k.a. Temple is the arrow head driving the machinery of government via the State Police Command to crush opponents in a bid to have their way towards 2019 general elections.

In line with Ekakpamre community constitution which recommends two years tenure for the executive, the annual general conference holds every December during which a new executive is usually elected. But this has not been possible due to continued antagonistic acts of the Umudi led group.

“The Ughelli South Local Government Council, authority falsified the original list of delegates to the election in favour of his cronies which triggered massive protest by the people and eventual cancellation of the election by the Head, Personnel Management of the council and security operatives”, Mukoro alleged.

According to Umukoro, on Saturday, 10 February, 2018 the day that was initially fixed for the election, Umudi led suspected cultists to invade Ekakpamre town with dangerous arms after which, a team of State Anti Robbery Squad operatives came to carry out indiscriminate arrest of opponents and their associates.

“After about two hours, Simon Umudi came with a Hilux van of SARS who were shooting sporadically into the air and scaring the whole community while they descended on the youths. But in self defence, they (youths) fought back.

Also in connivance with Umudi is Dr. Richard Koffi, Chairman, Ughelli South Local Government Council Area, as no less than 14 persons have been arrested and detained on orders of the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command for no visible crime, he said.

Consequently, the community has been thrown into chaos leading to many residents going to seek refuge elsewhere for fear of their life.

He said even himself and members of his executives are not safe under the prevailing circumstance as the Umudi led group has vowed to crush them to pave way for actualization of their planned imposition of Aladey Nuwanwan as the next President – general of Ekakpamre community for a second term.

In a petition to the commissioner, Delta State Police Command, copied to the Inspector General of Police, A.I.G Zone 5 Benin City, and Chairman Police Service Commission, Abuja; signed by Douglas Ogbankwa Esq, and Efe Eromosele Esq; solicitors to the petitioners and made available to journalists in Benin on Tuesday, it was stated;

“The culprits (Umudi led group) are desperate to install a kangaroo executive in Ekakpamre community to cover their tracks after being unable to account for millions of naira embezzled from the common wealth of the people.

“The persons in custody of Delta SARS are major community political players on one side of the divide in the crisis raging in the community; while those that are the real assailants are walking scot free even in the face of compelling evidence against them.”

Chief Michael AKponokan, Chief Mathew Ofioguma, Chief Aladey Nuwanwan, Shedrack Orhokpocha, Gens Dekpe, Kingsley Osiobe, Prosper Igben, Bright Oforishe, and others are the group causing mayhem to settle political scores in the community, Chief Umukoro said.

He called on the IGP, Federal Government and other relevant authorities to quickly intervene in the matter to forestall further breakdown of law and order in the community as well ensure that justice prevails.

In a telephone interview with Umudi, he denied all the allegations saying that what is happening in Ekakpamre is purely a community affair and not in any way connected with APC and PDP as political parties.

He said that on the day of the botched election, he was only at the venue as an observer when one Chief Newman Ighedo and the out – going President, Chief Mukoro brought hired thugs to attack perceived opponents and in the process he got machete cuts on his head and now carrying 32 stitches.