ASABA – The administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is facing intense scrutiny as civil rights activists accuse the Delta State Government of applying “selective courage” in its fight against corruption.
The outcry, led by Comrade Victor Ojei of the Young Nigerian Rights Organization (Wong Box Nigeria), highlights what appears to be a disparity in how allegations of financial impropriety are handled across different state ministries.
The Precedent: Agriculture Ministry Suspension
A few months ago, the state government won public acclaim for its perceived commitment to accountability. Following advice from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, Governor Oborevwori suspended the Commissioner for Agriculture, Barrister Omoun Perekebena Perez.
The official reason provided at the time was to ensure that investigations into alleged financial impropriety remained “unhindered.”
The Contradiction: Energy Ministry ‘Soft Landing’?
However, the Young Nigerian Rights Organization points to a recent shift in policy regarding similar allegations within the Ministry of Energy.
Despite “red flags” and public outcry, activists claim the individuals involved have not faced the same disciplinary rigors as their counterparts in the Agriculture Ministry.
”Why is alleged corruption in Agriculture met with suspension, but alleged corruption in Energy rewarded with a soft landing at the Head of Service?” Ojei questioned in a statement released on Monday.
The group further suggested that the discrepancy might be rooted in political or ethnic favoritism, specifically questioning if the “rules changed” because the individuals involved hail from the Ika (Delta North) region.
Calls for Blind Accountability
The activists emphasized that their stance is not an attack on any ethnic group but a demand for a uniform standard of justice.
”If investigations must be ‘unhindered,’ then apply the same medicine everywhere,” the statement read. “No ethnic shield. No political cover. No sacred cows. Accountability must be blind or it is useless.”
The Young Nigerian Rights Organization claims to have previously exposed issues within the Ministry of Energy that were initially ignored.
They have vowed to continue their “watchdog” role, promising further exposes in the coming days to ensure the Delta State Government upholds its promise of transparency to the people.
As of the time of this report by the Standard _Daily Press, the Delta State Government has not issued an official response to these specific allegations of double standards.
