Delta State Governor, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori,<\/p>\n
From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri\n<\/p>\n
A war of words has erupted within the human rights community in Delta State following the defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori from the People\u2019s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n This came as Comrade Tega Shalokpe, National Coordinator of the Foundation For Right Advocate, yesterday, sharply criticized Mr. Victor Ojei, a former Senior Special Assistant to the Delta Governor on Civil Society and NGOs, for his opposition to the move.<\/p>\n Ojei had recently resigned his appointment in protest of the defection, which he controversially labeled a \u201ccoup against the people of Delta State.\u201d\n<\/p>\n He had publicly called on PDP members, pro-democracy groups, and civil society organizations to \u201crise against the Governor\u2019s led All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State.\u201d\n<\/p>\n However, in a statement released yesterday, Shalokpe questioned Ojei\u2019s motives and his moral standing to oppose the governor\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n She questioned Ojei\u2019s apparent silence when his political mentor, Senator Ned Nwoko, made a similar move from the PDP to the APC.\n<\/p>\n \u201cHe had no issue with his political leader, Senator Ned Nwoko\u2019s defection from the People\u2019s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) but was now raising complains when it came to the turn of Oborevwori,\u201d Shalokpe stated.\n<\/p>\n Shalokpe further alleged that Ojei\u2019s opposition is driven by a hidden agenda linked to his principal\u2019s political ambitions. \u201cWe know all your plans. The plot by your principal to become governor of the state, not through elections but courts. I will assure you it won\u2019t work,\u201d she declared emphatically.\n<\/p>\n She accused Ojei, who she referred to as \u201cWong Box,\u201d of using human rights activism as a front for personal and political gain.\n<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been trying to capture some persons in this state into their own selfish interests, which are knowingly to him. That we already know. All their hidden agendas. We know their plans,\u201d Shalokpe asserted. \u201cAnd I want him to take this message to his principal that we know what they are up to. It can never happen.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Shalokpe dismissed Ojei\u2019s stated reason for resignation \u2013 insecurity \u2013 as disingenuous.<\/p>\n She questioned his inaction during previous periods of unrest and violence in the state. \u201cOjei claimed he was resigning because of insecurity but where was he when herdsmen were terrorizing people in their communities in Abraka, Aghalopke, Uwheru and other areas?\u201d she asked.\n<\/p>\n \u201cWongbox where were you when Comrade Kelly Efemena Umukoro went to visit some of the affected places that was suffering from the herdsmen attack. Places like Abraka, Ughelli, Uwheru, Agadama and other places. Wongbox where were you?\u201d Shalokpe continued, highlighting what she saw as Ojei\u2019s selective activism.\n<\/p>\n \u201cYou did not resign for them. You did not speak up for them. You did not go there to visit them,\u201d she added. \u201cYou should have been a human right activist for all and not for some particular persons. And if you are a human right activist for all, you would have resigned a long time ago, even before the defection of Governor Oborevwori to APC.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Shalokpe reiterated her support for Governor Oborevwori\u2019s defection, claiming it is for the benefit of Delta State\u2019s people. \u201cI and our colleagues in the human rights body are solidly behind him,\u201d she stated.\n<\/p>\n She again accused Ojei of pursuing a hidden agenda aimed at positioning Senator Ned Nwoko for the governorship, dismissing the possibility of this happening. \u201cWe know all your plans. It is for Senator Ned Nwoko to become the Governor of the state but that won\u2019t happen now because the person that will take over from Governor Oborevwori after his eight years will come from Delta South. We are rotating the governorship seat according to senatorial zones,\u201d Shalokpe explained.\n<\/p>\n Shalokpe claimed to be aware of Ojei\u2019s alleged secret meetings and plans, including a supposed promise of a Commissioner position from Ned Nwoko. \u201cYou see that your Delta Alliance, what they do? You see that your secret meetings. I am aware and get all the information about your plots,\u201d she warned. \u201cThe agenda and the network. I am telling you, it will not work at any point, at any time and at anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n She vowed to counter any protest or action by Ojei and his associates. \u201cI will state that if you come out to protest, we will come out to protest against you. If you come out in any way, I will come out in anyway,\u201d Shalokpe asserted.\n<\/p>\n Shalokpe urged the public to be discerning and not be misled by activists she believes are driven by personal interests rather than genuine public service.\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n