Proposed Awka Power Failure Protest Suspended After 157 Threat Calls

By Okey Maduforo

The mass protest against power outage in Awka Capital City billed to take place tomorrow, Saturday March 14th, has been suspended following over 157 threatening calls on the convener Comrade Osita Obi.

Obi said that the callers warned him of grave consequences should the protest hold.

Recall that since the take over of power distribution by a firm known as First Power electricity, power supply in Anambra state has been near non existence prompting residents of Awka to arrange a protest match on Saturday.

At a meeting between the representative of Anambra state government who doubles as Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, the First Power ltd , Electricity Regulatory Commission the Police and Department of State Service ( DSS) among others they stated that the protest should not hold following security concerns.

They also said that the protest would negativity affect the March 17th second term inauguration of Governor Charles Soludo, adding that miscreants may cash in on the protest to unleash mayhem in the area.

The authorities turned blind eyes to the issues towards finding solution to the darkness that has sentenced the residents of Anambra state to over one month of untold hardship and perpetual frustration of human and economic activities.

They allegedly refused to make any firm promise of improved power supply in Anambra state but were more interested in protecting their individual interests to the detriment of the general public.

Speaking shortly after the meeting Comrade Osita Obi recalled how he has been receiving threatening calls on his life and that of his family warning him that he would be held responsible for whatever fall outs from the protest.

"In the last two days I have not had a sound sleep due to several threatening calls of over 157 and all they do is to warn me not to hold the protest and what would happen to me in the unlikely event." 

Obi however noted clarified that no one gave him money and cannot be purchased by anyone.

He also explained that the protest has not been cancelled but suspended until further notice, adding that there is going to be two Town Hall meetings holding on the 14th and 24th of March by the First Power and the Electricity Regulatory Commission urging the consumers to attend in their numbers .

"We have two Town Hall meetings on the 14th and 24th of this month and we want people to attend in their numbers so that we can also interface with them and hear from them," Obi said.