by Nosa Eresoyen, Asaba

Confusion has continued to unsettle Delta State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) over Ali-Modu Sheriff’s alleged plan to over the state secretariat today (15/3/2017).

Expectedly, Protesters believed to be loyal to Makarfi’s faction which the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and all members of the party in the state belong “Delta PDP Youth Vanguard” in the early of yesterday in Asaba, took to various streets of Asaba, chanting secondarily songs including displaying placards with inscription.

“Okowa is our Governor, on Makarfi we stand, No Division in Delta PDP, but we have been used and dumped by Okowa” before they retired to Government House gate where security agents stopped them and they were addressed by top government officials who reaffirmed the commitment of the governor to peace and tranquility in the state.

Leader of the protesters, Emeka Adegwe who spoke to journalists, said they were moved to protest sheriff’s alleged plan to take the state secretariat, and the “used and dumped by Okowa” adding: “Barr. Essiso is our state chairman, Okowa is our Governor, we in Delta PDP belong to Markafi, we don’t want sheriff and his group”.

But in a swift reaction, the South South Vice Chairman of Ali-Modu Sheriff led faction, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh said the protesters were faceless group and alleged hoodlums who do not mean well for state and the party, and called on the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and his group members to respect the Appeal Court order which affirmed  Ali-Modu Sheriff as the authentic PDP National Chairman.

It was reliably gathered that Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff on Monday wrote the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris that he was ready to take over the Delta PDP secretariat; a letter our informed sources said, was allegedly transmitted to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim instructing him to ensure peace on the visit to take over the secretariat on Thursday in Asaba.

Since the letter was purportedly leaked to the state PDP members loyal to Markafi, there has been confusion and palpable fear of the unknown among them who allegedly threatened to resist sheriff’s decision.

Barr. Kingsley Essiso the State Chairman of the party had last weekend told journalists in Asaba that Ali-Modu Sheriff’s group members were “chasing shadow” warning that disgruntled members who do not believe in the progress of the state PDP, and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa SMART Agenda would be shown the way out.

Essiso’s statements only on Monday was seen by Ali-Modu Sheriff faction member in Asaba by one Ifeanyi Okocha as incisive and alleged plot to cause mayhem in the party, insisting that Markafi led faction members should obey the rule of law, particularly the Appeal decision which affirmed sheriff as the authentic National Chairman of the party.

In his facebook page, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ifeanyi Michael reaffirmed the decision to stand on Markafi’s led faction, adding that they were not ready to work with sheriff’s led faction on members.

Meanwhile, the protesters who also claimed to be “Delta PDP Youth Vanguard” accused Governor Okowa of “used and dumped”, alleging that they worked to ensure his victory, only to dumped them for nothing. Emeka Adigwe who claimed to be leader of the group, alleged “we were used to ensure victory for Okowa’s election, now his the governor, he has dumped us for nothing”.

But the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah who had attempted to address the protesters, could not do so as the protesters rebuffed his plead for a round table talk. “Please let us discuss on a round table, rather than this protest to cause unhealthy environment” and he however dispelled as untrue the "used and dumped" sing songs by the protesters.

Also, in a telephone reaction, the Police Commissioner in the state, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim confirmed that police were ready to maintain peace reign in the state.