by Isi Esene

A prominent traditional chief in Delta State, Rita Lori-Ogbebor has rejected the Christmas gifts sent to her by the state government.

Lori-Ogbebor wrote the governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, an open letter stating the reasons why the gifts were rejected. She went on to express her dissatisfaction at the achievements of the Uduaghan administration.

She stated that she returned the cow, rice and other gifts due to the government’s neglect of many parts of Itsekiriland with no plan for its development.

Her letter read in part: “By now, you already know my stand on the way you run the administration of Delta State. I feel unhappy and depressed to see the state and Itsekiriland declining from the time you assumed office.

“I have spoken to you as a mother to a son. Itsekiri riverine areas are declining educationally and economically. The way our land is today shows no planning or foresight. There is no creation of jobs, neither is there adequate security of lives and property. For many years, there has been fighting and bloodletting in Escravos. In fact, things have got worse since you became governor.”

The government is yet make public his reaction to this letter from the well-respected chief in Delta State.