The crisis rocking the Delta State Chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) appears to has assumed a worrisome dimension as Amb Oke Idawene, who claims he remains the authentic state chairman of the party has dragged the Publisher of Oasis Magazine, Daniel Dafe Umukoro, before the Department of State Services (DSS) over a publication made by the medium in the ongoing crisis in the party.
NewsNet gathered that Umukoro has been invited by the DSS in Asaba over the publication made by the medium on March 10, 2021, with the headline “Oghotoma Calls For Arrest Of Former Delta SDP Chair, Idawene Over Impersonation”.
Oasis Magazine in the publication said in part, “A chieftain of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Delta State and a guber candidate on the platform of the party in the 2019 elections, Sir Ohwo Benson Oghotoma(OBO) has called on security agencies in the state to arrest the sacked state chairman of the party, Amb. Amb Idawene Oke Hezx.
“Sir Oghotoma who spoke to journalists said the call for the arrest of the immediate past chairman became necessary because he was fomenting trouble in the party which could lead to a breakdown of law and order because he has continued to parade himself as the chairman of the party in the state despite his removal”.
In a statement on Friday, Umukoro confirmed his invitation by the DSS saying, “he received a call from a DSS operative in Asaba, saying a petition was written against him by one Amb Oke Idawene Hexx”.
Umukoro said though the said operative did not disclose the content of the petition, he believes it may not be unconnected to the recent publication by his medium wherein a chieftain of the SDP in the state, Sir Oghotoma called for the arrest of Idawene for parading himself as the Chairman of the party, saying he has since been removed.
The publisher of Oasis Magazine described the involvement of the DSS in the matter by Idawene as appalling as both of them had agreed that Idawene should send a statement about his own side of the story for publication by the medium.
Umukoro said, “Idawene was angry that we did not hear his own side of the story. But at the time we went to press with the report we were unable to reach Idawene and when he called I was glad that I can now allow him to say his views on the development but, got surprised that a man I hear has so much exposure decided to run to the DSS even after we both agreed that he will send his rejoinder to me. Maybe this issue is the more you look the less you see. With time we will find out.
“Is it at the DSS office that he wants to grant me the interview I asked him to say his own side?
“People must learn to use all avenues for resolutions before they disturb our ever-busy security operatives.
“I did not publish an investigation. It was an interview I did. Secondly, I gave him an opportunity to speak, but he shunned it may be because he has close ties with the DSS. I also hope someone or some persons is/are not using him to get at me because I have always been one voice that is against many things that do not go down well with some corrupt tendencies in the state.
“I will honour the invitation. But, I think the world should know that a hardworking man like me is trying to be roped into what I have no business with. Sir Oghotoma spoke. Why not try to prove that you are the authentic chairman rather than taking your party’s internal crisis to the DSS?
“I am even aware that the national executive of the party has since initiated peace moves for the aggrieved factions in the party.
“Well, as I said, I will honour the invitation. I don’t see any wrongdoing by me here. I have already notified the NUJ, ACNPN, lawyers and a few rights groups. So journalists, publishers and others in the state are already aware of the unnecessary and failure-programmed attempted intimidation they are directing at me which will not work. Maybe Idawene is trying to mute me. I wouldn’t want to be dragged into the SDP crisis because I don’t belong to any political party.
“If he has an ulterior motive other than my publication, I urge him to retrace his step and give peace a chance. I have never met him and so I have no ill-will towards him. It was an interview and press statement I published. I gave him his own chance, he turned it down because maybe he wants to prove that he is a friend to the DSS,” Dafe said.
Meanwhile, Umukoro, who was asked to appear at the DSS office on Monday it was learnt said that day would not be fixable for him and is yet to pick a date to honour the invitation.
Sources say Sir Oghotoma and Mr Austin Okakor, who Oghotoma and his supporters, as well as many party faithful, believe is the authentic Chairman of the SDP in Delta State have also been invited by the DSS.
When contacted, Idawene in a phone chat with NewsNet said there was no issue in SDP in Delta State claiming he remains the authentic state chairman of the party with backing from the SDP national secretariat.
