A youth leader, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar says his life is being threatened over his position on the recent appointment of Emmanuel Deeyah as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project, HYPREP.
Oscar who is the Global President of Ogoni Youths Development Initiative had a few days ago, issued a statement rejecting the appointment of Deeyah as HYPREP BOT Chairman.
Oscar and his group through the statement restated their believe in the former HYPREP BOT Chairman, Dr Mike Nwielaghi, and called on President Bola Tinubu to reverse the appointment.
However, Oscar in another statement on Wednesday said his life was being threatened following the call.
The youth leader claimed he has been receiving threat calls and messages from different quarters.
He equally fingered the newly appointed BOT chairman of inciting the people of his community Gwara in Khana local government area of Rivers State against him.
He maintained that his stance was based on the proven record of the former BOT chairman to develop Ogoniland.
“Following the controversial and manipulated appointment of Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah as the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), I openly expressed my support for the reappointment of Dr. Mike Nwielaghi. My position was based not on personal interest, but on Dr. Nwielaghi’s proven commitment to the development of Ogoni. A man who has served well deserves another opportunity to continue delivering for our people.
“Surprisingly, Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah has taken my stance as a personal attack and has launched a campaign of threats and intimidation against me. Since my open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for a review of his appointment, I have received multiple threats to my life — through messages, phone calls, and other disturbing means. I ask: what crime have I committed other than expressing a different opinion? Is it now a sin to demand what is right?
“Hon. Deeyah has gone as far as inciting the entire community against me. Elders were reportedly asked to conduct traditional rites against me, a matter for which I have credible video evidence, ” he alleged.
Oscar said the development has created a tensed situation in his community.
While also fingering the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike of overbearing influence on Ogoni affairs, he declared; “I am not against Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah as a person. I am against the growing influence of external forces, especially Chief Nyesom Wike, in Ogoni affairs. We must not allow our community to be hijacked by political desperation”.
He maintained that the group remains resolute in their call to President Tinubu “Not to swear-in Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah as BoT Chairman of HYPREP” saying ‘This appointment must be reviewed and reversed in the interest of peace and fairness”.
Oscar also urged the people of Gwara community not to allow themselves to be used to pursue selfish political gains.
However, we could not reach Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah for a response on the issue.
