Over 50 aggrieved women from Uzere community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State have protested, vowing to ensure peace returns to the community.
The protest may be linked to the leadership tussle rocking the community, particularly the postponement of the December 2024 conference, during which new community leaders were supposed to be elected.
The protesters, who stormed the council secretariat, 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 elections in Uzere,” “Sunny Eke’s tenure has ended,” “Say no to intimidation,” “Uzere needs peace, not crisis,” and “Sunny Eke is causing problems and crisis in Uzere.”
Madam Adhekegba Patience, in her address, recalled the consensus reached by members of the Uzere community to shun any act capable of igniting a fresh leadership crisis in the community.
Adhekegba noted, “Uzere community leadership tenure is two years for every elected officeholder; the outgoing President General, Mr. Sunny Eke, has refused to call a conference so that elections can be conducted to elect a new executive.”
“People no longer sleep with both eyes closed in the community due to daily gunshots.”
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 haven’t been locking my doors due to fear, in case anything happens, I can easily run away.”
“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, “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 to come for discussions.”
He assured the women that their complaints would be handled truthfully and based on facts.