No release of our leaders, no election, Okuama Community tells politicians

By Akpokona Omafuaire

The Okuama Community of Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State has told all politicians, including the president and governor, that there will be no election in the community if their detained leaders are not released.

Okuama Community gave the order Wednesday during a protest against the continued detention of its leaders.

Mr Vote Johnwalker, Chairman, Okuama Community, while addressing the press, said that the decision became apparent because Okuama is being treated as an outcast in the country.

According to the chairman, “It has been about two years now since our leaders were arrested and detained by the military after the total destruction of the community.”

“It is trite that the country is ruled by the law. When someone is accused of committing a crime, he is charged in court after arrest, and then the person is tried.

“Soldiers were killed near Okuama Community, and our town was destroyed; our leaders were arrested and detained without trials.

“James Achovwuko Oghoroko, died in military custody while Pa Dennis Okugbaye, Treasurer of Okuama Community was critically ill and later released on health grounds.

“Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, Professor of Physics at Delta State University and President-General, Ewu Development Union; Chief Belvis Adogbo; Dennis Amalaka; and Mabel Owhemu are still being detained.

“The court gave orders for the detained people to be brought before it; the military refused till now.” The military seems to be above the law.

“We have decided that there will be no election in the Okuama Community unless our leaders are released. If they are interested in our votes, they should solve our problem.

“Everyone seems to have forgotten about the Okuama community destruction and detention of our leaders.

“We have been treated as guilty of the killing of soldiers when no court found us guilty of it.” “We are being oppressed; no one is talking about how to rebuild the town,” he added.