Ika Youths Barricade Agbor-Benin Road Over House Seat
ASABA, July 13, (THEWILL) - The delay plaguing the non-swearing-in of Mr. Kingsley Phillips by the Delta State House of Assembly took a new twist today as vehicular movement and commercial activities were disrupted at Agbor as youths from Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State numbering about 500 barricaded the busy Agbor-Benin expressway protesting the non-swearing in of Mr. Phillips.
It would be recalled that an Appeal Court sitting in Abuja had on Wednesday 12, May, 2010 sacked the Speaker, Mr. Martins Okonta ruling that he was not the duly sponsored candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2007 State House of Assembly elections but Mr. Okonta has appealed the ruling in the Supreme Court and also filed for a stay of execution of the judgement of the Appeal Court. The Supreme Court however has not heard the matter.
The protest which lasted about 30 Minutes forced drivers, travellers and commuters to take refuge in filling stations.
Mr. Kingsley Aliemeke, Chairman, Ika South Youths for Good Governance and Development led the peaceful protest.
The placard-carrying protesters with various inscriptions stormed the major expressway at about 8.30 a.m. chanting war and solidarity songs.
They however appealed to the state governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan to direct the state House of Assembly to respect the rule of law by swearing-in Mr. Phillips.
It took the effort of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area, Mr. S.E. Danmanman to disperse the protesters from the high way.
Condemning the action of the youths, the DPO warned that he will no longer condole such criminal acts as according to him, the youths did not write formally to his office informing him of any protest which is against the law.
In his reaction to the non-swearing in of Mr. Kingsley, Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state, Chief Victor Otomewo appealed to both parties to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.
According to him "All I know is that the Delta state government, under the indefatigable leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan is a respecter of the rule of law having also been a beneficiary of the rule of law and I am sure appropriate steps are been taken to ensure that the rule of law is strictly followed in this matter. As the number one law officer of the state, my advice on this matter was sought and I have given my advice to the organ of government that I am suppose to give it to and I am sure they are working on it.
"Expect the rule of law to have its course, it will take place. The rule of law may be slow but it is sure it will take place in its due course so that is my advise to every body, let us abide by the rule of law once a matter has been taken to court you are expected to follow the due process of the law and that is what the government is doing I am not sure we have erred or delayed this matter in any way. We have always been guided by the tenets of the rule of law and I am sure we will soon get there."
The Ika youths had two months ago stormed the state house of Assembly protesting the non-swearing in of Mr. Phillips.