By Our Correspondent
There was clash of protest march and violence today in Asaba when the Anti-Uduaghan and Pro-Uduaghan corruption allegation groups met in front of the Delta State Government House.
The protest group, identified as the Anti Corruption Integrity Forum led by the publisher of online Secret Reporters, Comrade Fejiro Oliver, a renowned media practitioner cum human right crusader and Mr. Charles Pemu, a Warri based activist, called for the arrest, prosecution and jailing of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, immediate past Governor of Delta State over corruption allegations and embezzlement of the State fund during his tenure as governor.
In a twist of counter protest, the rally was disrupted at about 11:35am by the Pro Uduaghan group which cumulated into violence between both groups, but the quick intervention of the Delta State Government House Security personnel prevented the violence from snowballing into serious may harm and loss of lives.
Leader of the Anti Corruption Integrity group, Comrade Fejiro Oliver noted that their intention to protest against Uduaghan was borne out of love for the State (Delta). He added that all they are after is that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corruption Practice Commission (ICPC) should quiz Dr Uduaghan on how he spent the billions of oil money the State got from the Federation Account and internally generated revenue in his eight years as the governor of the State.
Comrade Oliver who lamented the ugly incident at the turn of event, alleged that their protest rival were sent to attack them by Dr. Uduaghan. “We didn’t come to government house to fight anybody neither did we come here with any other reason but for Uduaghan to account for the state money. Why would any one whose fingers are not soiled send thugs to fight us in front of the Police who looked on while the drama lasted”. Oliver stated.
He revealed that the protest march was earlier planned for February 28 but was suspended following the State Police Command invitation and advice to suspend it to avoid violent clash that the pro Uduaghan group also scheduled theirs for that day.
All efforts to reach the alleged leader of the Pro-Uduaghan group, Mr. Samuel Meyiwa Khaki on phone for comment proved abortive as his phone was switched off. However, a member of the Pro-Uduaghan group who choose to remain anonymous, while speaking to journalists said, “Uduaghan was a good man, he helped everybody in the State without tribal semtiments. You can verify from civil servants”.
