A socio-political pressure group, Concerned Uvwie Political Patriots (CUPP), has reacted to what it called purported allegation of an attempt by the leadership of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State to impose a female aspirant to the office of the Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, which the group says is against the will and desire of Uvwie people and might result in insecurity and instability in the area.
            In a letter dated November 12, 2007, addressed to the Director of the State Security Service (SSS) titled “Imminent Fresh Crisis To Brew In Uvwie Local Government Area Over The Purported Imposition Of A Female PDP Chairmanship Candidate,” signed by the Chairman, Pastor (Barr.) Innocent Adjenughure; the Secretary, Hon. Patrick Okoto; and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Otes Akasa, the group further said that in line with the resolution reached by the elders, chiefs, youths and party faithful to unanimously rally round a consensus candidate, “it would be out of place to deliberately impose a candidate that is not the choice of the Uvwie people.”
            Maintained the group: “It would be recalled that in 2003, Uvwie Community experienced inter-party crisis that led to the killing of several persons, criminal tendencies like arson, rape, maiming of innocent persons and looting of shops, which painted the Community in bad light. In line with the vision and resolve of the people, we would like to call on the Delta State government, security agencies and the PDP leadership in the State to passionately look into this orchestrated plan to impose an unwanted candidate on the Uvwie people, deliberately designed to brew fresh crisis that would make the Community ungovernable. As we are very much concerned with the democratic process and prospect of our dear Community and the State, it would be most appropriate to allow the Uvwie people decide a candidate that they deemed fit and qualified to pilot the affairs of their council. We say enough of bloodshed, arson, rape, robbery and other related political vices. We pledge to give peace a chance under an atmosphere of fairness, justice and equity a stitch in time saves nine.”
            The group further observed that apart from the little skirmishes and pockets of misunderstanding in Ekpan Community, the Uvwie Local Government Council Area has been enjoying relative peace, just as they recalled the support Uvwie people gave to the success of the present administration against all odds.
            “In view of the fact that Uvwie people have realised and recognised the importance of peace and security as a means to giving birth to rapid development and economic advancement, it is on this premise that Uvwie people have absolute confidence in the three-point agenda of the present administration, which are peace and security, human capital development and infrastructural development,” the group said.