Uduaghan Disowns Kpokpogri, Others Over Messy Drama in Delta Community
SAN FRANCISCO, June 24, (THEWILL) - Indications have emerged that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan may have disowned his Security Adviser, Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri (rtd), over report that the governor had backed his recent activities in Isoko community which was said to have embarrassed the government.
A dependable source told THEWILL that the state governor cannot be said to have authorised any of his aides to engage in 'messy community fight' that could bring the government to disrepute when the governor is touting his peace and security agenda to high heavens.
State's Information Commissioner, Mr. Chike Ogeah, who condemned the act of using the governor's name for mischief or act capable of causing crisis in any community, told our correspondent that the security adviser was acting on his own.
Ogeah, who spoke in a telephone conversation, said; 'The governor can never be a party to any crisis in Isoko or indeed on any part of the state as embodied in our three point agenda, the pursuit of peace and a secured environment for all is a cardinal principle of the Uduaghan administration.'
It could be recalled that one Prince Gabriel Othuke, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member and leader of Ikpide-Irri Youth Movement was reportedly banished from his community by some member of the community who were allegedly induced with money by the said Kpokpogri as well as a clergyman, Archbishop Christian A.O. Apena, of Bethesda Gospel Mission, among others followed an article published in a local tabloid accusing Hon Leo Ogor who represents Isoko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives of failing to give his stewardship in the last 12 years in the green chambers as well as failing to keep to the electoral promises made to Ikpide_Irri community.
The development which has heightened tension in the community was said to have embarrassed the state government following purported claims by the dramatis personae that they had the backing of the governor to carry out a clampdown on members of the opposition party in the community.
Sources said Kpokpogri had been boasting that he had the backing of the governor to clampdown on the community particularly those who had refused to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The source said Kpokpogri had, at a recent meeting held with Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Leo Ogor , at his country home at Ozoro, had allegedly promise to sustain the onslaught against the victim whose father is also being victimised over the incident.
THEWILL learnt that the dramatis personae had gone to the extent of stripping the victims' father who is one of the 'Edion' (Oldest man) in the community of the title with intent of getting back at the son.
'Some members of PDP in the community were boasting that our oga, Kpokpogri called and gave them assurance that we should not be afraid that, Governor Uduaghan , his boss, who is not in the country now, is fully in support of their actions.
The PDP members further said that the governor is angry hearing that the community is still accommodating APC members.
'But we are still appealing to Governor Uduaghan and President Goodluck Jonathan whose name they have been using to boast to call to order this security adviser, as well as the 'political Archbishop', Apena, to allow peace to reign in our community.'
THEWILL learnt however that the action of Kpokpogri and others had not gone down well with the community executive which had earlier waded into the issue concerning the said publication which had pitched Ogor against the community.
The source said that the estranged Kpokpogri who hailed from the embattled community had in continuation of the onslaught allegedly written 'frivolous petitioned' against the APC member as well as the community leadership for reversing the purported banishment of the indigene.
'Kpokpogri and his PDP cabals have arranged to use the police in Oleh, Asaba, Benin and Abuja to arrest the APC member, members of his family, the leadership of the community and those perceived to be opposing their actions in the community.'
Meanwhile, the victim in the centre of the drama, Prince Gabriel Othuke, has alleged threat to his life, saying since the incident some persons have been trailing him.
Othuke, who raised the alarm on Monday said for several occasions, some unknown persons have been trailing him, pointing accusing fingers to those who had orchestrated his reported banishment as those behind the threat to his life..
'For some time now, I have been having problems in my community over a publication I made. But because I am a member of APC, some PDP members in my community banished me after a meeting that was held in the house of a certain Archbishop where that decision was illegally taken against me without the knowledge and permission of the legally constituted leadership of my community.
'The whole thing is being sponsored by the Chief Security Adviser to the governor and others.
'Three days ago I was given a hot chase by unknown three strange faces who pointed at me along Uzere/Irri road at about 5pm.
'Also few days ago, I received two calls from hidden numbers warning and threatening that my life will be cut short or any member of my family.
'For three times now, I have experienced this strange act towards me hence I am speaking out for the whole world to know and know those to hold responsible should anything strange happen to me or any member of my family.
'I call on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to send sincere persons to the community and verify all this happenings if he must know the truth of the whole incident.
'The publication I made was never against my community but was only lamenting why my community has been neglected and because I am an APC member, certain PDP cabals in the community have decided to fight against me and my family and other persons who are against their illegal decisions in the community.
'For emphasIs sake, should anything strange happen to me or any member of my family, the world should know those to hold responsible,' he said.
All efforts to reach Kpokpogri on phone proved abortive as he did not pick calls made to his mobile phones.