Hardship Protest: Victor Ojei Says Activism, Not Synonymous With Hostility Towards Govt, Slams Israel Joe

By Daniel Dafe

Comrade Victor Ojei (Wong Box), Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Delta State on Civil Society and NGOs, has said that “activism is not synonymous with hostility towards the government but rather a catalyst for positive change when pursued with sincerity and integrity.”

He said this in a statement on Saturday following the failed hardship protest in the state and a statement credited to Comrade Israel who blamed fellow comrades for the failed protest, saying he was whisked away by security operatives to stop the action.

According to the governor’s aide, Joe was not whisked away, saying “there was an altercation between members of the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) community during the planned protest at the DSC Roundabout, Warri, Delta State.”

He continued: “As a representative of the Delta State Government and a stakeholder in the welfare of our people, I feel compelled to shed light on the events surrounding this incident.”

He said: “A meeting was convened on the 22nd of February 2024 at the Delta Command Commissioner of Police office in Asaba, Delta State. The purpose of this meeting held at the CP office was to engage in dialogue with the Civil Society community regarding the planned protest, with the aim of averting actions that could pose security threats. The meeting, which lasted for over two hours, provided a platform for all attendees to express their views and concerns.

“It was unanimously agreed during the meeting that there would be no protest, considering the security risks involved, particularly in light of past experiences such as the #EndSARS protests in October 2020. However, despite this agreement, Mr. Israel Joe proceeded to organize the protest the following day.”

Continuing, he said that “Mr. Israel Joe’s actions are not only in violation of the consensus reached during the meeting but also raise serious questions about his motives and integrity.”

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Furthermore, he said: “It is worth noting that Mr. Joe has a history of exploiting protests for personal gain, as evidenced by his involvement in the misappropriation of resources intended for the Civil Society community after the 2020 Endsars protest.

“Mr. Joe’s conduct, including his acceptance of consultation fees, undermines the principles of selflessness and genuine advocacy that should define the work of human rights activists. The Civil Society community in Delta State stands for accountability, transparency, and the pursuit of justice for all, and we cannot condone actions that betray these values.

“As stakeholders committed to the progress and well-being of Deltans, we urge the public to exercise caution and discernment in their interactions with individuals claiming to be activists. Genuine activism entails consultation, consolidation, and constructive engagement, not opportunism or personal enrichment.

“We call on the media to hold Mr. Israel Joe accountable and inquire whether he adhered to the principles of engagement outlined during the meeting. Additionally, we reaffirm our commitment to working collaboratively with the government and other stakeholders to address the challenges facing our society and advance the M.O.R.E Agenda for the benefit of all Deltans.”

Meanwhile, he stated that DELTANS should “kindly appreciate the efforts of Senior Comrade Ejumudo Kelvin, Senior Comrade Kelly Efemena Umuokoro popularly called Akima the UPU factional Leader, Senior Comrade Tega Tracy, Pastor Egedegbe Edewor the Delta State Coordinator for Human Rights Congress, Senior Comrade Monday Enudi, Comrade Atiku and a host of others who did all to save Delta State from the hands of activists with aim to exploit every opportunity that creates tension in Delta State.”