IRATE YOUTHS PELT SENATOR, OTHERS WITH STONE IN DELTA

It was an embarrassing scene weekend at Ekuigbe-Iyede, Isoko North Local Government Area as a delegation comprising the deputy majority leader of the ruling party Peoples Democratic Party in the House of Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor; Senator James Manager, representing Delta South; and Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay were pelted with pebbles by irate protesting youths.

The trio had led members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Isoko North Council Area on a tour of the constituencies to "thank the people for voting the party in past elections" when they met heavy resistant by protesters at Ekuigbe-Iyede, the country home of DESOPADEC Commissioner, Mr. Joe Ogeh.

The delegation, which included member representing Isoko North in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Tim Owhefere, were chased away with pebbles, sticks just after they were about settling down for the business of the day at the community market square.

The protesters, chanting “ijii, ijii, ijii” (meaning thieves, thieves, thieves) in their native language, stormed the venue with various placards with inscriptions such as 'PDP Leaders You Are Disappointment, Failure (sic)' and "Stop Deceiving Us" among others.

But for the presence of mobile policemen who guided the politicians out of the arena after releasing some volleys of bullet, the protesters would have descended on the embattled politicians..

"The security operatives opened fire in the market square to disperse the protesters in order to pave an escape route for the embattled politicians", an eyewitness said.

It was not immediately clear what was the rationale behind the protest, given the fact that the other areas where the political leaders visited to throw money at the people were relative peaceful but a source said there's grave anger in the council area particularly against the DESOPADEC member and House of Assembly representative from the area.

An aggrieved protester, who simply gave his name as Ejiro shouted; "We are angry because these same politicians have spent various terms in the National Assembly, State Assembly and forever in government, yet our lots have failed to improve. Every year they come to dole pittance to us when they know election is near".

"(Hon) Ogor for instance has been in Abuja for nearly 16 years and yet no development. Tim Owhefere (representing Isoko North) is also in his second term, yet no state or federal presence here. Today they came and gave us N500,000 to say thank you; how long is that going to last us?" he queried.

In his reaction however, Macaulay attributed the incident to money, saying,"Is there any society even among you now if I throw N100, 000 up now wouldn't there be crisis?"

Consequently, he disabuse the mind of those who believes the visit was a way of preparing themselves for another round of campaign this year saying; "something that have never been done is now being done and you say it took us so long? Have anybody done this before? Have they announced local government elections that you are saying is because of the council polls that we are going around?”

On his part, Ogor, who is believed to be the object of the anger in the area, said: "There are bound to be some disagreement in all situations of this nature, you can't run away from the reality of that. When you have 100 percent acceptability you know there's something wrong.

"But as good leaders saddled with the responsibility of moving Isoko forward, we would look at some of those voices and be able to meet them at their point of need because politics like I said before is all about resource sharing. Probably they are not satisfied with the level of distribution of resources."

Manager, while reacting said; "whatever we have done there is a token of appreciation. It doesn't represent any other thing apart from thank you".

The visit had earlier, kicked off from Ozoro to Ellu, Ofagbe, Okpe-Isoko, Otor-Iyede, Emevor, Otor-Owhe, Owhelogbo, Ozoro where the politicians were received by tumultuous crowd of party women, youths and faithfuls who danced and sing their praises.

Earlier, Macaulay who addressed the people at the various communities visited said that they want a change in a situation where politicians are often known for meeting the electorate only when they needed their votes, saying "the basis of this visit is to appreciate our people, the people of Isoko North who in spite of all odds voted for PDP"

Source: Compass