By Austin Ogwuda
A group of protesters stormed Government House Asaba, Monday, protesting an alleged moved by a prominent Ibusa indigene Chief Fred Ajudua to forcefully acquire their farmland located at an area called ‘okotomo’.
The protesters came from Ogbe-Iyase quarters in Akwukwu-Igbo community, Oshimili North local government area of Delta State.
Leader of the protesters, Mr. John Ofuasia said that they marched peacefully to Government House to ask the governor to intervene urgently by calling Chief Fred Ajudua to order to avoid bloodshed.
The protesters maintained that Ajudua’s alleged move to take over their farm lands was for selfish purposes.
They alleged that some persons in the community were conniving to grant Chief Fred Ajudua power of attorney to sell their lands.
They came with different placards with inscriptions: ‘Delta State Government rescue Akwukwu-Igbo from hands of Fred Ajudua’; ‘Fred Ajudua leave Okotomi land in Akwukwu-Igbo alone’; ‘Delta State House of Assembly save Okotomi land from Fred Ajudua’; ‘We reject power of attorney in Okotomi land of Akwukwu-Igbo’; ‘Governor Sheriff save our land’; ‘Fred Ajudua don’t dare us, relocate yourself to Ibusa’; Fred Ajudua leave our land for us”; ‘Akwukwu-Igbo is about to explode’ and ‘Delta State Government come to our rescue’.
The State Director of Protocols, Chief Sunday Onoriode while addressing protesters urged them to remain calm and peaceful as their message would get to the appropriate authority.
Also on hand with Onoriode to receive them were the State Commissioner for Power and Energy, Engr Jerry Ehiwario and Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon.