Gov. Uduaghan Sacks Aide Over Fraud As Opposition Parties Jubilate

PHOTO: DELTA STATE GOVERNOR, EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN.

Asaba Jan 27, (THEWILL) – More facts have emerged on the recent removal of the Special Adviser to Delta State Governor, on Inter Party Relations, Dr. Emmanuel Mafiana by the State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Dr. Emmanuel Mafiana was sacked last week without any reasons but sources have linked his removal to a press interview he granted the Vanguard and Guardian Newspapers.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Ifeayi Okowa in a statement directed the Special Adviser to the governor on mobilization, Hon. Solomon Edoja to take charge pending when a new SA is appointed.

THEWILL can authoritatively report that the SA was fired following his alleged involvement in some dirty deals while in office. It was reliably gathered that the alleged corrupt practices of the SA had fueled tension between the members of opposition parties in the state and his office. 

Sources say the Governor used the press interviews as an excuse to protect the government from a PR mess if it had stated the real reason for his removal.

Independent investigations revealed that the embattled SA while in office allegedly amassed wealth for himself from fraudulently deducting from grants meant for the opposition political parties in the state. The SA was allegedly deducting 20% from various grants to registered political parties in the state.

The most recent incident was a N28.8 million grant for 2008/2009, which was disbursed to the parties despite a court injunction restraining the state government from releasing the funds.

THEWILL sought Dr. Mafiana’s comment on the allegations of fraud leveled against him but he declined to answer our questions.

Meanwhile, opposition political parties in the state under the umbrella of Coalition of all Registered Political Parties have reacted positively to Dr. Mafiana’s removal from office.

Speaking on behalf of the body in Asaba, Chairman of the Coalition, Hon. Moses Abeh hailed the governor’s decision saying it was overdue. He urged the Uduaghan to sack more corrupt office holders from the cabinet while advising him to appoint a person with integrity as a replacement.

The Coalition called for the immediate probe of Dr. Mafiana’s three-year stay in office adding that the former SA ran the office like his private enterprise.