JUST IN: Delta Youths Threaten ‘Mother-Of-All Protests’, Accuse Takeme Of Failing Burutu

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Youths in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State have threatened to embark on what they described as the “mother of all protests,” accusing the Council Chairman, Chief Julius Takeme, PhD, of poor leadership, intimidation and failure to address pressing challenges confronting residents.

The youths, under the aegis of Burutu Must Progress, said their patience had run out over what they described as the alleged failure of the council administration to tackle critical issues affecting the local government since Takeme assumed office.

In a statement issued on Sunday posted online, the group urged the Chairman to take urgent steps to address the concerns of residents by engaging relevant authorities and agencies responsible for providing essential services across the area.

The youths alleged that Takeme and some of his supporters had responded to criticism with what they described as blackmail, intimidation and misinformation against individuals participating in protests over the conditions in the local government.

“We are not hoodlums, neither is our protest politically motivated. We are youths who are tired of what we consider the incompetence and lack of vision in the administration of Takeme,” the statement said.

The group warned that the current protest was only the beginning, threatening to escalate their campaign under the banner “Takeme Must Go” if, according to them, the council leadership failed to respond to their demands.

One of their major concerns is the persistent electricity crisis in Burutu. The youths argued that residents had yet to experience significant improvement in the provision of basic social amenities despite the change in administration.

They also expressed concern over the state of healthcare in the area, particularly at the Burutu General Hospital, alleging that the absence of a resident doctor was putting residents’ lives at risk.

“People are dying in Burutu owing to the non-availability of a resident doctor. A concerned Council Chairman should have engaged the Commissioner of Health, the Hospital Management Board or briefed the Governor for possible intervention,” the group alleged.

The youths questioned the effectiveness of local government administration when issues directly affecting the welfare of residents, according to them, remain unresolved. They maintained that council leadership should identify the needs of the people, engage relevant authorities and ensure available resources are deployed toward improving living conditions.

Meanwhile, the group commended Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited for its intervention at the Burutu General Hospital, describing the gesture as a demonstration of corporate responsibility and concern for the community.

According to the youths, it was unfortunate that an issue they expected the local government to address had attracted the intervention of a private company.

They further disclosed plans to begin demanding greater accountability regarding the monthly allocations received by the Burutu Local Government Council, saying they would pursue the matter through lawful channels.

“We don’t have two Local Government Chairmen in Burutu. We have only one, and that Chairman is Chief Takeme. If he cannot address our demands, then we question whether he is fit to continue in that position,” they said.

The group insisted that its activities were part of its constitutional and civic rights, warning that attempts to intimidate or silence the protesters would not stop them from expressing their grievances.

“We are exercising our democratic and civic rights. No one can intimidate or blackmail us. We are not afraid of anyone,” the statement added.

Burutu Must Progress warned that unless there was a meaningful response to the issues raised, a larger demonstration could follow, saying the alleged shortcomings of the council administration could no longer be ignored.

The youths called on the Delta State Government, the Burutu Local Government Council and other relevant stakeholders to urgently intervene in the areas of electricity, healthcare, infrastructure and accountability.

They said their objective was to secure a more functional, developed and responsive Burutu, stressing that they would continue to pursue their demands through lawful means.

However, an official of the council contacted declined comment at the time of filing this report.