Before Izeze Was Suspended, What Happened Behind The PTI Confrontation?
By Passman Akpos
The indefinite suspension of Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Hon. Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben, has continued to generate controversy, with calls growing for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault involving the commissioner and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, Mr. Simon Mudi, popularly known as “Temple.”
The Delta State Government announced the immediate suspension of Izeze following allegations linking him to the reported assault on Mudi at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun.
In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, the government said the suspension was necessary to allow security agencies to conduct an unbiased investigation into the matter.
The government stressed that it remains committed to public safety, law and order, and the sanctity of lives, including when the institutions of government are involved.
However, political commentator Tony Festus has questioned whether the circumstances leading to the confrontation have been sufficiently established before disciplinary action was taken against the commissioner.
Festus argued that while the alleged assault, if established, should not be condoned, the government should also investigate what may have triggered the confrontation.
According to him, there had allegedly been an earlier incident at a public event where the commissioner was seated when a protocol officer approached him and requested that he vacate his seat.
Festus claimed that the commissioner reportedly remained silent even when the protocol officer allegedly became physically confrontational.
He said the situation only attracted the reaction of people around the commissioner, who reportedly considered the conduct a serious act of disrespect.
He further alleged that at another gathering, Mudi appeared with some of his associates while the commissioner was present, a development which, according to Festus, was perceived by people around the commissioner as potentially intimidating.
Festus maintained that such circumstances should form part of any comprehensive investigation into the dispute.
‘Governor Should Not Sacrifice Either Man’
Festus said Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should pursue a fact-finding process capable of establishing what actually happened before, during and after the alleged confrontation.
He acknowledged that the suspension could have been intended to create an atmosphere for investigation and possible reconciliation but insisted that the underlying issues must not be ignored.
“Temple Mudi may have been provoked by a pending issue, but that still does not justify disrespect or physical confrontation,” Festus argued.
He added that if allegations of misconduct against Mudi were established, appropriate disciplinary action should equally be considered while the governor works toward a political resolution.
Festus also stressed that he does not support violence or physical confrontation.
However, he warned that repeated provocation or public humiliation of a ranking political appointee could escalate tensions, particularly where supporters and political associates are present.
‘Izeze Has Made Huge Sacrifices’
According to Festus, his source believes Izeze should not have been subjected to what he described as disrespect, considering the commissioner’s alleged political contributions to the administration.
He claimed that Izeze had reached out to various individuals on behalf of the governor’s administration, built relationships across political divides and contributed to expanding the administration’s political network.
Festus said the commissioner’s current detention has consequently generated concern among people who have interacted with him politically.
He pointed to reactions on social media and private messages he said he had received since news of the suspension and subsequent developments emerged.
According to him, the reactions suggest that Izeze may have developed significant relationships with people through his political engagements.
Call for Restraint From Both Sides
Festus also called on Mudi, as a political appointee occupying a position of authority, to exercise restraint and respect in his dealings with senior political figures.
He referred to reports of previous disagreements involving alleged disrespect toward political leaders from Mudi’s constituency, but stressed that such claims should be properly investigated rather than treated as established facts.
He argued that ignoring unresolved disputes could create conditions for similar confrontations in the future.
Festus said the present crisis should therefore be viewed beyond the immediate allegation of assault, urging the government to examine the broader relationship between the individuals involved.
‘No Selective Justice’
In his final assessment, Festus urged Governor Oborevwori to avoid taking sides in the dispute.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should not sacrifice either man, but neither should he take sides,” he said.
He maintained that the government should establish the facts, determine responsibility where wrongdoing is proven and address whatever underlying political or personal disagreements may have contributed to the confrontation.
“What Delta State needs at this point is not selective justice, but fairness, fact finding, political maturity and a genuine effort to resolve the underlying issues,” Festus stated.
The suspension remains indefinite pending the outcome of investigations.
As the controversy continues to attract public attention, the key question now is whether the investigation will examine only the alleged assault or also establish the events, disagreements and interactions that preceded the confrontation.
For now, allegations against all parties remain allegations until established by competent authorities.
