Umusadege Community in Ndokwa West local government area of Delta state, has protested against the non release of the white paper by the Delta State government to show that peace has returned to the embattled community.
The protesters who were in Government House, the Deputy Governor’s office and media houses in Asaba stated that “the non release and implementation of the white paper is sustaining the crisis” in the community.
According to a protest letter signed by Mr Macaulay Jackson, Eke Sunday, Azuka Omogu and Omem Henry made available to Blank NEWS Online, “it is a year since the mayhem in Umusadege that led to shooting, bombing, burning of houses and destruction of other properties because a clique wants to hold on to power perpetually to the detriment of our hometown, Umusadege.”
“In resolving this matter, since 2011 and the need to follow due processes, the traditional rulers in Ndokwa nation, the King of Emu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Obuenwe John Ulu; the King of Umukwata, His Royal Majesty, Friday Abaja; the Delta State Commissioner of Police; the Ndokwa West Local Government Council, the Commissioner for Oil and Gas and finally, the State Security Council headed by the Deputy Governor, all of them were involved in finding a solution to the crisis,” they stated.
It added that “the State Security Council ordered the renegade Umusadege-Ogbe C.D.C (name withheld) to step aside and cease to function, still he defied the government with the connivance of certain persons, and so Umusadege is still in the tenterhooks.
“We appeal to the government to kindly release the whitepaper of the State Security Committee meeting of 18th of September 2013,” the protesters said.
The protesters were assured at the office of the Deputy Governor that their grievances would be channeled to appropriate quarters.