As controversy continues to trail the alleged assassination attempt on the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Victor Ochei, the chairman of the Delta State Local Government Commission, Mrs. Nkem Okwuofu, is said to have concluded plans to take legal action against the Speaker.
As controversy continues to trail the alleged assassination attempt on the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Victor Ochei, the chairman of the Delta State Local Government Commission, Mrs. Nkem Okwuofu, is said to have concluded plans to take legal action against the Speaker.
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Mrs. Okwuofu, a political associate of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, is accused of masterminding the assassination plot.
Confiding in SaharaReporters, some staff of the commission and political associates of the commission boss who pleaded for anonymity, stated that Mrs. Okwuofu is taking the legal option believing that her name that has been defamed, and in view of some libelous materials that have been credited to the speaker and his associates.
Our sources stated that since the incident occurred, the commission chairman has been traumatized over her name being dragged to the mud.
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A close source to Mrs. Okuwofu who simply identified himself as Agada disclosed that the services of lawyers are being sought to study the issue and take necessary action as she will not fold her arms and watch some people destroy the good name she has built over the years.
Mrs. Okwuofu, denying any knowledge of the allegation that she masterminded the assassination attempt on the Speaker, described Ochei as her political son. She pointed out they both hail from close communities of Obomkpa and Olona in Aniocha Local Government Area and wondered why anybody would drag her name to such an unholy act.
Her official position is contained in a press statement titled “Chief (Hon) Nkem Okwuofu’s Side of The Story of The Alleged Assassination Attempt on the Speaker of The Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei,” signed by Ike Nwagwor, her Media Assistant, in which she dismissed the accusations as baseless.
“No matter the source of the information which unfounded, it’s not only mischievous but calculated attempt to undermine the integrity, personality, impeccable character and proven track records of contribution and achievements which I have made in my personal and political life towards the development of Delta state in particular and Nigeria in general.
“It must be mentioned here for purpose of clarity that canon gunshots in our custom are used during traditional marriages, burials, conferment of chieftaincy titles and to herald the arrival of very important dignitaries visiting any community. We have never known or heard it to be used in killing or assassinating anybody in any place unless by accident from the handler through accidental discharge.”
On whether she threatened the Speaker because of their political differences and her support of Senator Ifeayi Okowa, Mrs. Okwuofu had earlier during press conference in Asaba confirmed that the problem started when the Speaker sacked the ward three executive in Obonkpa where she is the leader, adding that the Speaker did not stop there but installed fresh leaders as heads of the executive in her ward.
She said she called the Speaker and told him that what he had done was wrong.
“All the governorship aspirants are my sons and it would be premature to pitch tent with any governorship aspirant when the election will hold 2015. Okowa has not told me he is contesting the governorship, Okowa remains my political son too, the way I supported Okowa during his agitation to be a Senator, the same way I supported Ochei for eight years which made other politicians to dislike me for my support for Ochei.”
It would be recalled that two weeks ago an explosion rocked a political meeting put together by Mr. Ochei at Obomkpa, Aniocha North local government area. Two persons suffered severe injuries and the Speaker insisted that the explosion was targeted at taking his life.
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