10 February 2014, Asaba—One of the two warring factions at Ugborodo in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State involved in leadership tussle, which predated the proposed $16 billion EPZ Project to be sited at Ogidigben, has walked out on the Reconciliation Committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, accusing him and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of alleged bias.
Consequently, the faction, led by Dr. Elex Ideh, has sent a petition to the Chief of Naval Staff and the Inspector-General of Police outlining its reasons for backing out of the committee.
Recall that the inaugural meeting of the committee held on January 19, 2014, and is expected to turn in its findings and recommendations today in Abuja.
However, the new twist unfolded last Friday in the office of the SSG when the two factions were expected to attend and submit 10 names from each group to be members of the new committee, but only the faction led by Chief Thomas Ereyitomi attended the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, the SSG told the gathering that the Alex Ideh group had actually walked out on the committee, confirming that they meant every word contained in the petition they sent to Abuja. He read the petition in the presence of the faction present, security agents who are members of the committee and the press.
The three-page petition, dated January 24, 2014, and signed by six persons, including Dr. Alex Ideh, Mr. David Tonwe, Dr. Ayo Ayomike, Mr. Itse-Elijah Wilkie, Emmanuel Adun and Femi Uwawah, read in part: “Our position: Our earlier fears that Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, the Delta State SSG, does not have the capacity, independence and neutral disposition have been vindicated.
“That the unwholesome meddlesomeness of the Governor of Delta State in the affairs of Ugborodo community has again come to the fore.
“That unless this matter is taken out of the hands of the Delta State government, Dr. Uduaghan, the governor will continue to constitute a clog in the wheel of progress.”
– Austin Ogwuda, Vanguard
