A protest organised on Thursday by individuals currently facing attempted murder charges at the Federal High Court, Asaba, turned into a spectacular embarrassment, as the Ogwashi-Uku community resoundingly rejected their attempt to mobilise against their own traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Obi (Dr.) Ifechukwude Aninshi Okonjo II.
The protest, staged by a faction of the so-called Ogwashi-Uku Development Association (ODA), was led by individuals including Mr. Okolie, the ODA “home president,” Mr. Elue Adigwe and Mr. Izu Osammor, Ojo Izediunor, John Nwaona.
According to reports, the group claimed that they were being tried “unfairly” and demanded that the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku should “stop” their ongoing criminal prosecution, a demand widely ridiculed as both illogical and lawless.
They further alleged, without a shred of evidence, that the lands lawfully recovered from land grabbers by the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku behind the Delta State Polytechnic, lands restored to the community through a valid judgment of the Delta State High Court, had been sold.
In their usual fashion, they called the court’s decision “illegal,” even though it was issued by a competent court of law after full trial and has been executed in line with due process.
Despite hiring at least eighteen (18) buses to ferry supporters to Asaba, the group’s plan fell apart when community members refused to join the protest.
In the end, they could only muster about twenty-five (25) individuals in two (2) buses for the protest, most of whom are themselves facing various criminal charges, turning what was intended to be a mass protest into a pitiable and embarrassing spectacle.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest exposed once again the growing desperation of this faction to destabilise the otherwise peaceful Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
The people’s overwhelming rejection of the protest was a strong reaffirmation of their loyalty to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and their commitment to the peace and progress currently being enjoyed in the kingdom.
Community elders have since described the protest as “the last kick of a dying horse,” warning that no amount of deceit or rented crowd politics will erase the truth, that the Obi’s leadership, backed by lawful court judgments, has restored dignity, order, and progress to Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom.
