Isoko Youths Rise Against Okowa Over ‘Illegal’ Arrest Of Their Leader Who Led Protest Over State Of Roads In Delta

Hundreds of Isoko youths on Thursday took to the streets, protesting against Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over the alleged illegal arrest of the President of Isoko National Youths Assembly, (INYA), Comrade Ovie Umuakpo who led protest over deplorable state of roads in the state last year December.

BigPen Online gathered that Umuakpo was arrested on Wednesday by police detectives from Asaba, following a petition written against him by one Samuel Askia, son of the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, DESOPEDEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh over the last year December protest by the youth group of which Ogieh name was mentioned in one of placard bore by the protesters.

But the youths group who perceived ‘political undertone’ over the arrest, are accusing Governor Okowa as brain behind the ‘offensive’ against Isoko youths who stage the massive protest over the deplorable state of Isoko axis of the Ozoro/Kwale/Ughelli/Asaba duel carriage road project.

The Umuakpo-led Youths group had barricaded the ever busy Ozoro-Kwale-Asaba express road to protest against the governor’s failure to execute the Isoko section of the road which is currently in a deplorable state as well as against Askia Ogieh whom they alleged has shortchanged the Isoko nation on some oil largesse meant for the youths.

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According to the protesters, they were protesting against the “bad governance in Delta state and the refusal of governor Okowa to complete the “Section B” of the Isoko-Asaba-Ughelli dualization road started by former governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan led administration as well as deliberate non-funding of DESOPADEC for the past two years among others.

BigPen Online recalls that after the protest in December, the Secretary to State Government, Mr. Ovie Festus Agas summoned the youth group to address their seemingly grievances on behest of the governor but another group led by one Victor Egbo, which reportedly enjoys the backing of Ogieh gatecrashed into the meeting on the grounds that they were the ‘government recognized’ leadership of INYA.

An impeccable source at the police headquarters who confided in one of our correspondent said the arrest of the youth leader was engineered by the DESOPADEC’s Executive Director, Askia Ogieh, using his son, one Samuel Askia Jr to put up a “spurious petition to make it look as if the arrest was coming from Isoko”.

While reacting to the development, an Abuja based human rights lawyer, Anthony Ejumejowo, in a statement titled “Enough Of The Irresponsibility Of The Governor Towards The Isoko People”, condemned in its entirety the arrest of Mr. Umuakpo.

“I want to condemn strongly the invitation or arrest of Ovie Umuakpo over the peaceful demonstration by Isoko youths in December last year. It is the height of irresponsibility on the part of the Government of the Delta State for the Government to allow their officials/contractors to arrest the young man after a meeting with the SSG.

“The disrespect and disdain for the Isoko people has gone unabated under the watchful eyes of the Governor and this is because the entire leadership of Isoko for whatever reasons cannot speak truth to authority. We have other ethnic group cart home with projects and contracts running into billions and what we struggle for her crumbs.

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“The arrest of Ovie Umuakpo is an assault and insult on the entire people of Isoko and same must be strongly condemned by all men of reason if any still exist in Isoko land.

“The leadership of IDU cannot continue to keep quiet in the face of the challenges and harassment that the youth body they organized elections for face. At a time one is ashamed to be called an Isoko man.” the statement lamented.

As at the time of filing in this report, mixed reactions and condemnations have continued to trail the arrest even as all efforts by the newly elected chairman of Isoko South local government council, Mr. Itiako Ikpokpo to intervene and effect the bail of the youth leader had failed.

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