Dr Emu receiving the protesters
Delta State Government, Friday, warned that it would not take for granted, any matter that could affect the security of lives and property in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr Kingsley Emu, gave the warning, while addressing protesters from the Ubulu-Okiti community in Aniocha South Local Government Area at Government House, Asaba.
The protesters, who were in their numbers, and carried placards with various inscriptions, were on a peaceful protest over the activities of land grabbers in their communities.
Dr Emu commended the protesters for their peaceful disposition, assuring that the government would look into the matter comprehensively once the Commission of Enquiry’s report was presented.
“We have listened to your complaints, and the governor, in his wisdom, through the State Security Council, has actually set up a Commission of Enquiry to look into most of these allegations that have been brewing with everything pointing towards the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, HRM Ifechukwude Okonjo.
“The security council has since invited him; thereafter, he was asked to stay away from all of these until the Commission of Enquiry concludes their assignment.
“Luckily, they are almost concluding their assignment, and, in January by the special grace of God, they would have been through and the government will do the normal thing of going through the recommendations.
“This legitimacy claims will be sorted out by the panel of inquiry headed by a serving judge of the state. The Committee is also made up of very reputable and responsible people who do not have any personal interest and will never have.
“They are not people that can be bought over. So, I appeal to you to remain patient for another maximum two months and everything shall be over.
“We note very strongly the use of the Police from Zone 5 to torment and harass you, as you have alleged; the Governor and the state will look into that.
“Please, don’t take the law into your hand because, if you do, you won’t be helping us and yourselves; very soon, this matter shall be resolved, by the grace of God.
“After the Commission submits its result, the government will look at it and take a stern position on this matter because any matter that can affect the security of this state cannot be taken for granted.
“Times are hard enough for the people not to talk of adding another affliction on them: Governor Oborevwori is a Governor for all – the rich, the poor, the middle class, the common people and the royals; that’s who the Governor stands for.
“Part of our MORE Agenda is enhanced peace and security; so, we cannot fold our hands and see this kind of thing happen; that is why we are particularly happy with the way you have come.”
Earlier, the leader of the protesters and Youth President of Ubulu-Okiti community, Ifechukwude Nwabuebo, alleged that; “For over two years now, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, Obi Ifechukude Okonjo and his brother, Prince Onyema and the family of Okonjo has been in our community land, grading and selling our land.
“If we protest, he will use thugs to chase us away from our land and our parents are no longer going to farm.
“The latest one now is that he came to Ubulu-Okiti, Ubulu-Uku and Aniagbala around 1 am in the midnight, broke into our houses, beat up our wives and carried away our fathers to Zone 5 for the past seven days.
“Since then till date, they have refused to grant them bail; so, we have come to the government to appeal to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene to release our fathers.
“We have been suffering for over two years and we are begging the government to intervene in this matter to tell the Okonjo family to leave Ubulu clan alone.
“We are not under Ogwashi-Uku clan; we are on our own- Ubulu-Uku, Ubulu-Unor, Ubulu-Okiti and Aniagbala is not the same clan with Ogwashi-Uku and they are now trying to take us as slaves which we have refused, hence we are here, sir.”
