Delta State APC Factional Fight: Rights Lawyers Demand Release, Immediate Arraignment of Works Commissioner Izeze

By Correspondent

Human rights advocates and public interest lawyers have called on the Delta State Police Command to either release or immediately arraign the state Commissioner for Works, Mr. Rume Yakubu Izeze, over his continued detention in connection with an alleged incident at an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in Effurun.

The lawyers made the demand in a statement dated August 8, 2026, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Asaba, and copied to the Area Commander, Uvwie Area Command, Effurun.

According to the group, its intervention was made in the public interest and was aimed at protecting the constitutional right to personal liberty, stressing that it was not acting as solicitors to Izeze.

The lawyers said they were concerned about reports of the continued detention of the commissioner following the reported incident at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun.

They alleged that Izeze was initially arrested and subsequently granted bail but was later returned to custody over an allegation that he had breached or jumped bail.

The group, however, argued that the circumstances surrounding his continued detention required urgent clarification, particularly as, according to the statement, Izeze had personally appeared at the police station.

“We do not seek to interfere with any lawful investigation, nor do we contend that Mr. Izeze is above the law,” the lawyers stated.

They maintained that any investigation into the matter should be conducted within the framework of the law and with due regard for the constitutional safeguards protecting personal liberty.

The lawyers therefore urged the police to either release the commissioner if there was no lawful basis for his continued detention or promptly bring him before a court of competent jurisdiction for arraignment.

They said prolonged detention without arraignment would raise serious concerns about due process and the protection of fundamental rights.

The call comes amid heightened political activity in Delta State, with the alleged incident at the APC stakeholders’ meeting in Effurun attracting attention and prompting calls for a transparent investigation.

It witnessed recalled that a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Conference Centre in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State had descended into violence on Sunday July 26, 2026 leaving several persons injured, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr. Simon Mudi, popularly known as ‘Temple.’

According to eye witnesses, the meeting started peacefully but quickly degenerated when disagreements among party leaders escalated. While some attendees alleged the violence began after Temple confronted another member over a previous disagreement, others said it was the culmination of longstanding political differences between camps within the Delta State chapter. Midwest Herald could not confirm allegations that the clash was rival cult related.

Temple sustained life threatening injuries after he was attacked with broken bottles and other objects. Graphic images from the scene showed him with deep cuts to his head and bloodied clothing. He was rushed to hospital for medical attention.

The Delta State Commissioner for Works, Reuben Izeze, had denied involvement in the violence. He claimed he was not near the scene when the clash erupted, but alleged that Temple was attacked during the confusion and accused Uvwie Local Government Chairman, Tony Ofoni, of attacking him and taking some of his personal belongings.

The violence has renewed calls for the state APC leadership to reconcile aggrieved factions ahead of future elections in the state.