By Austin Ogwuda
Although the immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has been granted ‘adminstrative bail’ by the anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, investigating the alleged diversion of N1.3 Trillion against him, his Passport has been seized.
The implication is that until the matter is logically concluded, he has been caged and can’t travel abroad.
The seizure of the Passport was confirmed by the EFCC Spokesman, Mr. Dele Oyewale.
According to him, “That is normal practice in law enforcement; when you grant somebody bail, you ask for the person’s International passport and some other conditions. It is normal”, he reportedly told The Guardian.
...as criticisms trail UPU’s visit to Okowa after bail
In a related development, a Media Analyst, Akpovoke Otiti has carpeted the UPU’s leadership, headed by Mr. Ese Gam for paying a solidarity visit to Dr Ifeanyi Okowa at his (Okowa) Asaba residence shortly after he was granted bail by the EFCC.
Otiti, in a piece titled ‘Betrayal of Trust: Urhobo Progress Union’s Leadership Under Fire’, stated that “The recent solidarity visit by the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) to former Governor Okowa has sparked outrage and left many questioning the union’s motives.
“What’s even more shocking is that Okowa’s own people, the Anioma, didn’t deem it necessary to pay him a courtesy visit, yet the UPU saw fit to do so. This raises serious concerns about the union’s priorities and allegiance.
“It’s imperative to note that the UPU’s actions are not only hurtful but also shameful, especially considering Okowa’s track record with the Urhobo people. Despite empowering some individuals, he failed to develop areas that matter to the Urhobo community. So, what drives the UPU’s leadership to engage in such a brazen display of loyalty?
“The absence of solidarity visits from other ethnic groups, such as the Isoko, Ijaw, and Itsekiri, speaks volumes about the UPU’s isolated stance. One can’t help but wonder if the Urhobo people have been misled into loving Okowa more than his own people do. This is a critical question that demands answers from the UPU’s leadership.
“As an organization, the UPU’s primary objective should be to promote the welfare and interests of the Urhobo people. However, the recent solidarity visit suggests that the union’s priorities have been compromised. It’s essential to revisit the UPU’s constitution and mission statement to understand the extent of this betrayal.
“The UPU’s leadership, headed by Mr. Ese Gam”, he went on, “must provide a convincing explanation for their actions. What is the modus operandi behind this show of shame? Are they acting in the best interests of the Urhobo people, or are personal interests at play?
“The Urhobo people deserve transparency and accountability from their leaders. It’s time for the UPU to reevaluate its stance and prioritize the needs and concerns of its people. Anything less would be a betrayal of the trust placed in them.
“In the face of this controversy, it’s crucial for the Urhobo people to unite and demand change. The UPU’s leadership must be held accountable for their actions, and a new path forward must be charted.
“Ultimately, the UPU’s solidarity visit to Okowa raises more questions than answers. As the Urhobo people navigate this challenging situation, we must remain vigilant and ensure that our leaders act in our best interests”, stated the Media Analyst, Otiti.
*Photo caption: Okowa (6th from right) posing with the UPU delegation during their solidarity visit to his palatial Asaba residence
