By Palang Paul
A prominent rights group has leveled serious allegations of double standards and ethnic bias in the Delta State Government’s handling of corruption investigations. The Young Nigerian Rights Organization, through its lead activist Comrade Victor Ojei, claims the state applies harsh sanctions in one ministry but offers “soft landings” in another, questioning the consistency of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s accountability drive.
In a strongly-worded statement titled “What is Good for the Goose Must Be Good for the Gander,” activist Victor Ojei highlighted two parallel cases with contrasting outcomes. He recalled that months ago, Governor Oborevwori suspended the Commissioner for Agriculture, Barrister Omoun Perekebena Perez, over alleged financial impropriety following advice from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu. The official reason was to ensure “unhindered investigations,” a move publicly applauded.
However, Ojei asserts that a similar scenario now exists in the Ministry of Energy, involving “same allegations, same red flags, same public outcry,” but has been met with a drastically different response. He alleges that instead of suspension, those involved have been given a “soft landing at the Head of Service.”
The activist directly questioned the rationale behind the disparity, asking, “Because the individuals involved are from Ika, Delta North?” He challenged the state government, demanding, “Who changed the rules? Or is justice now run on a senatorial district formula?”
Ojei clarified that his critique is “NOT an attack on Ika people,” but rather “an attack on double standards.” He stated that earlier warnings about corruption in the Energy Ministry were ignored, and current events validate their initial alarms.
The statement issued a clear ultimatum to the state government: “If investigations must be ‘unhindered,’ then apply the same medicine everywhere. No ethnic shield. No political cover. No sacred cows.” Ojei argued that “accountability must be blind or it is useless,” and accused the government of fighting corruption with “selective courage.”
The activist group has promised continued scrutiny, ending with the warning, “We are watching. And our next post will expose more.” This public challenge puts pressure on the Delta State Government to address the alleged inconsistency in its anti-corruption stance and provide transparent explanations for its disciplinary decisions.
The activist group has promised continued scrutiny, ending with the warning, “We are watching. And our next post will expose more.” This public challenge puts pressure on the Delta State Government to address the alleged inconsistency in its anti-corruption stance and provide transparent explanations for its disciplinary decisions.
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