Effurun Boils As Okowa's Men Take Over NURTW Leadership

SAN FRANCISCO, July 28, (THEWILL) – The crisis rocking Uvwie Central Motor Park chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) in Delta State turned bloody on Wednesday as a faction purportedly loyal to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa overthrew the incumbent chairman of the park, leading to exchange of gunfire in the area.

The development was the climax of the cold war between the Uvwie Council Chairman, Mr. Henry Baro and the member representing Uvwie/Okpe/ Sapele Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Evelyn Oboro.

THEWILL learnt that the ousted NURTW chairman, Mr Napoleon Adibu, is loyal to the Uvwie Council boss, who is former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s ally while Mr Francis Ariyor, who seized the Uvwie Public Motor Park Management is loyal to Oboro, who reportedly enjoys the support of Governor Okowa.

Sources disclosed that Baro and Oboro had been at daggerdrawn since the last general election as Baro was said to have allegedly worked against the re-election of Oboro and her candidate during the House of Assembly election in the council.

THEWILL gathered that the cat and mouse relationship between Baro and Oboro degenerated prior to general elections as Baro, who was elected during Uduaghan’s tenure, on assumption of office as council boss, was said to have changed the leadership of park headed by Ariyo, when he established the Uvwie Public Motor Park Management and allegedly planted his ally, Adibu.

This development, our source disclosed, didn’t go down well with the Oboro’s camp but she couldn’t re-install his loyalist who was sacked by Baro ostensibly because Baro enjoys the support of Uduaghan.

THEWILL gathered that Wednesday clash which sent residents of Uvwie scampering for safety was the outcome of the sour relationship between Uduaghan and Okowa as the two factions of NURTW which have been at loggerheads are loyal to Uduaghan on one side and Okowa in another respectively.

Sources disclosed that Oboro, waxing strong following the backing of Governor Okowa had on Wednesday staged the reinstatement of Ariyo who was earlier sacked.

It was learnt that Francis Ariyo who was reportedly escorted by policemen and thugs in the wee hours of Wednesday stormed the motor park to dethrone the embattled chairman, Adibu, who had unseated him a few years ago.

The development which sparked sporadic shootings in several parts of the council by both camps, crippled social and commercial activities in council area as shops were hurriedly locked.

The situation became chaotic with policemen deployed to the area looking helpless as youths brandishing dangerous weapons seized the metropolis for hours.

Sources told our correspondent that the new development may result in the impeachment of the Uvwie council chairman, Baro, who has been at loggerheads with the House of Representatives member and close ally of Okowa.

It was reliably gathered that the State House of Assembly may be used to remove Baro from office if the council lawmakers fail .

Reacting to development, the Uvwie Council, in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Local Government, Hon. Uvwie Emete Julius, called on residents of the council to remain calm and go about their lawful duties.

The statement said the council chairman was already handling the situation.

“The attention of Uvwie Local Government Authority has been drawn to the incursion of some persons into the Uvwie Central Motor Park this morning.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Constitution in schedule four section one and sub-section E vested the powers to establish and manage motor parks in Nigeria on the Local Government Councils.

“Consequently, the chairman, Hon. Henry Baro, on the 20th March 2015 established the Uvwie Public Motor Management Committee vide a letter with reference number UVLG/645/TIS/2015.

“The headship and/or chairmanship of the aforementioned committee was placed on Comrade Napoleon Adibu. He is still recognised as such,” the statement said.

Responding to the development, spokesperson of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Celestina Kalu, said the police acted on intelligence report that hoodlums were plotting to shut down the council.

She added that some hoodlums have already been arrested in connection with the shooting.