Violence Halts CDHR Election In Delta As NEC Plans Caretaker Committee

The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) election in Delta State was abruptly disrupted on Tuesday evening following the invasion of suspected thugs who reportedly targeted national officers and disrupted proceedings.

The incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m., forced the immediate suspension of the election process. Witnesses said the thugs harassed key national officers, including Barrister Henry Ekine, the organisation’s National Legal Adviser, and Idris Afeez, the Publicity Secretary. The chaotic scene caused members to flee the venue to avoid escalation.

Tensions reportedly rose over allegations that Comrade Edariese, a prominent figure in the CDHR, attempted to impose his son as the State Chairman. Several members opposed the move, accusing Edariese of manipulating the electoral process and disenfranchising members from five recognised units.

According to a member of the CDHR, identified as Agberen, Edariese allegedly created new units and handpicked individuals loyal to him to tilt the outcome in his favour. He further claimed that on the morning after the disrupted election, Edariese convened a meeting at his residence in Owhase to select preferred candidates, bypassing the standard electoral procedures.

With growing concerns over the legitimacy of the process, CDHR’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to intervene. Sources suggest the NEC is considering the immediate suspension of Edariese and the formation of a caretaker committee to restore order and credibility in the Delta State chapter.

Efforts to reach both Ekine and Edariese for comments were unsuccessful. Ekine did not respond to calls, while Edariese neither answered his phone nor replied to a text message sent to him.

As the organisation faces internal strife, many are calling for swift action from the NEC to prevent further damage to the CDHR’s reputation and ensure fairness in its democratic processes.