By Jimitota Onoyume, Assistant News Editor
For a politician who only recently moved between the corridors of power and the construction sites of Delta State, the present reality for Commissioner for Works, Reuben Izeze, is a dramatic change of scene.
The commissioner Izeze, as his fondly called, has been suspended by the Delta State Government and subsequently remanded at the Warri correction centre following his arraignment in connection with the violent incident involving Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s protocol aide, Simon Mudi, aka Temple .
The legal process unfolds.
But beyond the courtroom and the walls of the custodial centre lies a bigger question: what exactly happened at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), and what was behind the violent confrontation that has now assumed this dimension?
The incident occurred during a Delta Central All Progressives Congress stakeholders’ meeting at the PTI. The gathering, which brought together prominent political figures from the senatorial district, was reportedly convened as part of preparations for future elections.
The political meeting itself, however, was described by the governor’s Executive Assistant on Politics, Jennifer Adasen, as peaceful and successful.
In a statement issued after videos of the violence emerged, she said the meeting was “peaceful, well-organised and concluded successfully in an atmosphere of unity, mutual respect and constructive engagement.”
She condemned the violence, stressing that the altercation occurred outside the venue of the meeting. That distinction is important because the violence has since overshadowed the original purpose of the political gathering.
At the centre of the controversy is Mudi, aka Temple, who has spoken publicly about his experience.
According to accounts attributed to him in the media, Mudi said he was on his way to eat when he was alerted that a group of people had arrived and that there might be an attack. He alleged that several men descended on him, breaking bottles and stabbing him multiple times.
“On that day, he came again with over 50 boys. In fact, what really happened was that I was on my way to eat with my watchmen. When my associate called me that he saw a signal they had brought a lot of boys to attack me, immediately I dropped the call and saw about 12 boys who came to attack me.
“Before I could say anything, they started breaking bottles everywhere, stabbing me from the back, stabbing me everywhere. Everyone was running. I couldn’t even defend myself “, he recalled. He said he had done eleven stitches so far.
He also alleged that the incident was not an isolated occurrence, claiming that he had earlier been attacked during a burial ceremony at Okwagbe in Ughelli South Local Government Area. According to him , a commissioner was behind the attacks, an allegation that has not been established by a court.
“But before this latest incident he had attacked me on the 26th of last month during our late brother’s burial in Okwagbe with over 24 boys.
“I don’t know how a commissioner can set up another commissioner. There must be justice. How can over 70 boys attack one person? It was a terrible thing to do. I have had eleven stitches “, Mudi alleged.
The allegation has inevitably fuelled speculation that the violence could have roots in a political or personal disagreement involving influential actors within the state’s political structure.
But speculation is not proof. And this is where the ongoing investigation and court proceedings become particularly significant.
Governor Oborevwori has said the decision to suspend Izeze was to allow the police to investigate the matter without interference. The state government has also publicly condemned the violence and directed security agencies to identify and prosecute those found responsible.
The suspension and subsequent court proceedings have therefore transformed what initially appeared to be another episode of political violence into a matter attracting considerable public attention.
For Izeze, the immediate challenge is to deal with the legal process and the allegations surrounding the incident. For the government, it is a test of its commitment to accountability, especially when those involved are politically exposed persons.
For the public, perhaps the most important expectation is simple: that the truth should emerge.
While the legal battle continues, reports have also emerged about Izeze’s conduct at the Warri Correctional Centre.
An unconfirmed report circulating in recent days claimed that the suspended commissioner has been relating cordially with other inmates and has allegedly paid fines for some inmates who were unable to meet their financial obligations.
The same report claimed that he was considering organising a football competition for inmates, with the proposed theme “Ukodo na Tevwe – the pottage has reached inmates ”, centred on Governor Oborevwori’s popular Ukodo ( pottage ) political slogan.
There were also claims that Izeze was exploring a possible collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission on a water project for the correctional facility.
These reports if eventually confirmed, they would add another dimension to the story of a commissioner whose public profile has suddenly shifted from road construction and government projects to legal proceedings and custodial life. Doing good in custody counts for inmates.
Life can be funny sometimes .Izeze was still actively speaking about major road projects in Delta only weeks before the controversy. In July, for instance, he discussed the state government’s intervention on the Warri-Benin Highway and other infrastructure projects.
Today, his political and administrative future is temporarily overshadowed by a case now before the court. And he is currently occupying a space at the Warri correction centre as his temporary abode.
Will the case be decided in a matter of days ,weeks ? Will Izeze return to his post as a Commissioner in the administration of governor Oborevwori? Time will tell.
The post Delta’s Izeze: From commissioner’s office to custody appeared first on Vanguard News.