Militants threaten fresh hostilities in Delta

Niger Delta Militant group, the Creek Dragons has threatened Delta state government of fresh hostilities over what it described as unlawful relegation of Ijaws in the state to the background in scheme of things.

The group called on President Buhari and relevant stakeholders to prevail on senator Dr. Ifeany Okowa over his management of state affairs, most especially what it described as abuse of state power and the unconstitutional interference with commissions in the state which were meant to address the concerns of the people.

This was contained in a press release signed by a self-styled General Freedom Adowei which a copy of it was sent to Congress correspondent in Warri on Tuesday.

The militant group accussed governor Okowa of allegedly turning himself overnight into a loyal supporter of Buhari all in the fear of EFCC that may come after him at the end of his tenure.

According to the militants, “Okowa now uses state funds to settle his way out. The 13% derivation funds meant for the development of the oil producing communities has also been hijacked by Okowa.
Governor Okowa is gradually milking DESOPADEC dry with his questionable activities in the commission.

The statement read partly: “Creek Dragons will no longer keep calm when a minority in terms of oil production quota in the name of Governor embezzled host communities funds for selfish reasons.

“This is capable of breaking down law and order and should in case insecurity looms and oil production drops from this end, the Federal government should hold governor Okowa responsible, because we can’t keep feeding a system we practically get nothing from”, the militants query.

The self-styled militant general averred that the Governor with his ‘hunger promoting programmes’ has technically frustrated promising young youths into criminal activities; hence there was need for the Creek Dragons to speak up and disabused the mind of the Governor that its professionalism goes beyond making him a governor, adding that they are also good for the worse and the governor would soon heard from them along this regard.

The group further asserted: “Deltans will agree with us that Okowa has practically failed in every area of governance. He practically succeeded in deceiving Deltans, using his antics of cosmetic measures for a whole six years. Okowa may have succeeded in dragging the state backwards and deceiving the good people of Delta State for over six years, but such political pranks and jokes will not be tolerated by the Creek Dragons, and CD still have what it take to humble Okowa administration for these remaining two years.

“The likes of Okowa are impediments to political progress and advancements. A closer and critical look at states like Anambra, Rivers, Cross Rivers and Akwa-Ibom, you will asked, is there really a governor in Delta State? We have never had it this bad, they noted.

The militant group asks:”Where is the N14.8 billion remitted from the Paris Club December 2016 that was squandered by Okowa’s government without payment of salaries and execution of any meaningful projects? or is it the inter-communal crisis instigated by Okowa to gain sympathy and security bonus from federation? Okowa is just bereft of ideas.

“He is obsessed with money, enriching himself with his relatives and stooges. Governor Okowa is a gross error and a mistake that should have been corrected in 2019 election. The worst Governor in the history of Delta State, the group alleged.

“With the Creek Dragon usual mode of operation, governor Okowa will be forced to account for the 50% of the N100 billion of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) 13% derivation funds he deprived the commission of and he will also be pressured to account for in total of over N300 billion naira loans request which he deceived the state house of assembly in approving for him and also the allocations plus special funds.

‘It is no longer a news that Okowa is looting the state through certain companies, using his brothers, friends and cronies to award billions of naira contracts to himself under the guise of being the road master. Okowa should also be aware that we are not ignorant of the fact that he is using state funds to execute some of his constituency projects he failed to do during his days as a senator after collecting the money for such projects.

“We want to equally state that all the said projects executed by Okowa in the Ijaw areas put together in Delta State cannot be compared to what he has done in his area. The upgrading or establishment of three new universities in Delta State without considering to site anyone in Ijaw land despite their political and economic contributions is another injustice taken too far.

“The continuous abandonment of the Ayakoromo bridge project is another testament that the Governor is truly not interested in the genuine development of our people, this is so as even after knowing the economic importance of the bridge, he has chosen to abandon it despite carrying out more mega projects in other areas.

“Governor Okowa will pay heavily for manipulating the Creek Dragons to achieve his political gains without keeping to his words as promised. Yes, the CD is not known for the conventional rigorous legal process for redress but however, in the case of governor Okowa both legal means and otherwise will be explored to expose his many ills, the militants threatened.