A viral video showing a man bathing in floodwater on Shell Road, Sapele, has sparked outrage and led to his arrest, drawing attention to the poor condition of the road, which has been compared to a “swimming pool.” The man, identified as Uge Elo Kenneth, took to the flooded street to protest the deplorable state of the road and call out the current Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and former governor Ifeanyi Okowa for failing to fix the infrastructure.
This incident, which has quickly gained online traction, comes just 72 hours after Ossai Ovie Success, Senior Special Adviser on media to Governor Oborevwori, denied the governor’s involvement in Kenneth’s arrest. In a post on social media, Ossai clarified that the governor had no hand in the arrest and, in fact, promotes freedom of expression.
“The young man was not arrested on Governor Oborevwori’s orders,” Ossai stated. “Once the governor learned of the situation, he called for the man’s immediate release and an investigation into the arrest.”
Kenneth’s dramatic protest, however, has drawn mixed reactions. The Delta State government, while distancing itself from the arrest, condemned the protest, describing it as dangerous and reckless. Fred Latimore, Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, called Kenneth’s actions “suicidal.”
“The video of a man bathing in filthy road water is both dangerous and distasteful,” Latimore said in an official statement. “Bathing in contaminated water exposes him to serious health risks, including skin infections and other diseases. This is not the right way to get the government’s attention.”
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Latimore went on to explain that Kenneth’s arrest may have been interpreted by law enforcement as a possible suicide attempt, which is against the law. He emphasized that Governor Oborevwori has been focusing on infrastructure development across all 25 local government areas in Delta State, including Sapele, as part of the ongoing MORE Agenda.
“While we acknowledge the frustration of citizens over the state of certain roads, it’s important to note that infrastructure improvements are being done in phases. The governor is committed to advancing Delta State and ensuring that all communities benefit from development,” Latimore added.
The video has fueled widespread debate online, with many sympathizing with Kenneth’s frustration over the slow pace of road repairs, while others criticize his extreme method of protest. Governor Oborevwori has promised that road projects, including those in Sapele, will be addressed as part of his administration’s phased approach to infrastructure development.
With the video still circulating widely on social media, this incident has sparked a larger conversation about the state of Delta’s infrastructure and the urgent need for action. Whether Kenneth’s arrest will deter future protests remains to be seen, but his bold move has undoubtedly drawn massive attention to the issue.
