…Says Uzor Has Not Done Enough, Failed In Peace Building
The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has knocked the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration for playing to the gallery with issues of communal clashes that would have been resolved at the early stages.
The party fingered the government of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, for not showing much interest in tackling crises at the community level while noting that insensitive political gladiators take undue advantage of the issues.
APC made their position known on Thursday September 23rd 2021, in a press release made available to The Story, by Sylvester Imonina, Esq., the Publicity Secretary (Caretaker), APC in the state.
“Some of these crises were/are avoidable but the lackadaisical attitude and non-proactiveness of Okawa led-government of Delta State when issues are in a budding stage, can rightly be said to be responsible for the carnage experienced in recent times and years in some parts of the State”, the release said.
It expressed worries that the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), under Okowa, has representatives appointed to build peaceful coexistence but the reverse is the case.
“Delta APC is not unaware of the fact that there is no Community in the State where the Okowa led-government does not have a political office holder. These appointees who are supposed to be peace builders and bridges between their people and the State Government care less about issues that threaten peace. Some of them are known merchants of war whose stock in trade is fanning embers of discord”.
Meanwhile, Imonina, who took a swipe on the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Edwin Uzor, stated that Uzor, has failed Deltans woefully.
Hear him: “It is very painful that the Senior Special Adviser to the State Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, has not done enough in peace building. His office has failed in sensitizing the people on the evil of inter-communal crises or any form of crises in the State through broadcast and print media and/ or social media. The only modus operandi of that office is embarking on wild goose chase after unquantifiable damages have been done.
“In most cases, certain crises that could have been nipped in the bud were/are allowed to fester because of political interest. Some political demagogues who find themselves on a part of Community divides are allowed to misbehaved, while the helpless citizens suffer.
“Some days ago, there was communal clash between Ogwashi-Uku and Otulu Communities in Aniocha South Local Government Area (LGA) of the State, which resulted in the unfortunate killing of one Cletus Okpala-Ozumba, an indigene of Otulu. Also, not too long ago, there was bloody crises between Emede and Igbide Communities in Isoko South LGA which resulted in loss of lives, and property worth millions of Naira!
“The bad memories of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijaw Communities’ crises of not too long ago linger on! Till date, the number of lives lost in that crises is yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, so many people whose landed properties were destroyed are still eating the bread of sorrow.
“From available information, most of these crises are not unconnected with unclear lands boundaries between neighbouring Communities”, Imonina, alleged.
Delta APC challenges Okowa led-Government to up its game in averting inter-communal crises or any form of crises in the State, saying “People who find themselves on the wrong side of the law should be taught a lesson they will never forget, irrespective of whose ox is gored. Lives and properties should not be wasted on the alter of political and or any form of affiliations”, he cautioned.
