Isoko Leaders Meet Over Uzere Oil Crisis, Mull Reconciliation

Leaders of troubled Uzere community and some stakeholders in Isoko nation have met over the oil crisis rocking the community.

The meeting, it was learnt was initiated at the instance of the former chief of defence staff, Gen. Alexander Ogomudia (rtd) who hails from Uzere.

Sources said that Ogomudia and others met behind closed door on Tuesday to reconcile their difference.

The meeting which lasted for several hours tabled the bloody crisis which broke open over the N20million oil largesse meant for youth’s skill acquisition.

Present at the peace parley meeting was the former chief of defence staff, Alexander Ogomudia, the President General of Isoko Development Union, (IDU), Iduh Amadhe, Managing Director, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC), Askia Ogieh and Sam Ogrih.

Others stakeholders in attendance include the chairman of Isoko South local government, Itiako Ikpokpo,who led some prominent leaders of Isoko South including, Dennis Etaluku, Archbishop of the Oleh Diocese, Aruakpo, Odiologbo of Owhe kingdom, and the Secretary to the council, Dennis Obrogo to the meeting.

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A dependable source who didn’t want his name on prints but privy to the outcome of the meeting disclosed that among others, the meeting discussed the community kingship issue.

Uzere monarch has been on exile for over five years owing to the crisis which engulfed the throne.

The meeting, our source hinted also discussed the oil largesse to the community as well as the armed “freedom fighters”, terrorising the community who are allegedly been funded by some powerful personalities among other issues.

The source said, “The meeting discussed the former king who is on exile, Odogri I, oil money running into several millions of naira coming to the community that is always causing crisis, the so-called armed ‘freedom fighters’ who are terrorising the community and been used by some powerful personalities in the community.

“Though, the peace meeting could not be concluded and it was adjourned to a later day where they will reconvene again. But all the issues were well deliberated on.

“I must commend the council boss, Hon. Chief Ikpokpo, Chief Etaluku, Archbishop of the Oleh Diocese, Aruakpo, Odiologbo of Owhe kingdom and all those working round the clock to bring lasting peace in our community”, the source added.

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An Isoko leader, Dennis Etaluku, who doubles as member of the newly inaugurated Delta State Advisory and Peace-Building Council, told one of our correspondents in a telephone conversation that the meeting was called at the instance of General Ogomudia.

Etaluku who was also part of the meeting said, “Yes there was a peace meeting held at the instance of the former chief of defence staff, Alexander Ogomudia. What we did was a step by step approach.

“We have been able to reconcile all the leaders of Uzere community with the former chief of defence staff, Alexander Ogomudia, the Uzere leaders have now accepted Ogomudia as their father, leader and boss and Ogomudia have forgiven all of them. Though, we have first reconciled the leaders and our next move is to treat all the other issues and reconcile the entire community.

“We have discovered that all these boys branding themselves ‘freedom fighters’, in the community have at one given time or the other worked with all the leaders, today they are with you, tomorrow they are with the other person. We have scheduled a meeting with the boys. We have gone a long way into the issues and we shall continue the peace process”, Etaluku assured.