Aggrieved women of Uzere community in the Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, stormed the council secretariat demanding the restoration of peace in the town, following the leadership tussle rocking the community.
The protesters who were led by Madam Adhekegba Patience, carried placards bearing various inscriptions such as: “Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, call Sunny Eke to order”, “Say no to tyranny”, “Say no to oppression”, “We need free and fair election in Uzere”, “Sunny Eke’s tenure has ended, “Say no to intimidation,” “Uzere needs peace not crisis,” and “Sunny Eke is causing problem and crisis in Uzere”.
Addressing the protesting women, Madam Adhekega recalled the consensus reached by members of Uzere community to shun any act capable of igniting fresh leadership crisis in the community, expressing dismay over the postponement of the December 2024 conference during which new community leaders would have been elected.
Madam Adhekegba noted that “Uzere community leadership tenure is two years for every elected office holder; the outgoing President General, Mr. Sunny Eke has refused to call a conference so that election can be conducted to elect a new executive”.
“People no longer sleep with their two eyes in the community as a result of gunshots every day in the community”.
Mrs. Lawrence Onezioke, one of the protesters said: “I am tired of war; the crisis that happened years ago, we are yet to recover from it, I have not been locking my doors as a result of fear in case anything happens, I can easily run away.
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“Every end of the year, we normally hold our conference, but the outgoing President General, Mr. Sunny Eke claimed the conference was held, during a stakeholders meeting with the Isoko South Local Government chairman. It is a lie from the pit of hell, no conference was held in December last year.
“The local government council chairman should be briefed that no conference was held in Uzere. Uzere women were never part of any conference held in December last year. We are tired of crisis, we don’t need war. We need peace in Uzere community.”
The protesting women accused Mr. Eke of unleashing a reign of terror and violence on innocent members of the community through intimidation.
The local government council Chairman, Friday Warri, in a telephone chat with the protesters, said his administration is aware of the issues raised by the women, adding that “we are on top of the issue. If there is any letter, you should drop it.
“We are already handling the issue, nothing will happen in Uzere community. You people should go back home and go to your various farms. When I return, I will invite you people to come for discussion.”
He assured the women that their complaints will be handled truthfully and based on facts.
