Ofuoma Community has a President duly elected; no leadership vacuum – Elders’ Council

The Elders’ Council of Ofuoma Community in Ughelli Kingdom, Ughelli North local government area, Delta State has said that the community has a duly elected President and that there is no leadership vacuum in the community as reported by a section of the media.

The elders’ council in a 19 paragraphs statement issued and signed by Pa Onome Okena – Eldest man; Pa Thomas Okorugbo -2nd Eldest Man; Mr John Emudeanegho -Otota 1 (Senior Spokesman); Mr Evuabore –          Otota 2 (2nd Spokesman); Mr Awo Ogboro -Secretary Elders Council; Mr Wilson Ejiro Okorugbo -Youth Leader and Mrs Ugbi      -Women Leader, accused some of the community leaders of sponsoring crisis in Ofuoma.

The statement particularly fingered a rebel group of chiefs led by Chief D. G. Afatakpa who constituted themselves as an anti-progressive force in Ofuoma Community as the brain behind the claim that there is a leadership vacuum Ofuoma.

The Statement titled Ofuoma Community Has A President Duly Elected: No Leadership Vacuum – Elders’ Council reads in parts:

It has come to the notice of the Elders’ Council, Youth and the Women folk of Ofuoma that a renegade group of chiefs led by Chief D. G. Afatakpa who constituted themselves into anti-progressive force in Ofuoma Community has claimed that there is a leadership vacuum in Ofuoma.

Ordinarily, we would have ignored the ranting of the so-called council of Chiefs as we have done since 2019 when they started the troublesomeness of the Elders’ Council, led by Chief D.G. Afakakpa whose membership includes the likes of Chief Theo Mukoro, Chief Moses Erhabor, Chief A.O. Izoma, Chief Unuavwodo, Chief Peter Akpofure and Chief Okevwodjaye. But for the fact that they have started to drag innocent persons such as the Chairman of CDB – Chief Morris Idiovwa, Amb. Richard Ovwreghrederohwo, Chairman of Omel 30 and Olorogun Dr Isaac Akpoveta, into their meddlesomeness we wish to set the record straight.

THE ELDERS’ COUNCIL AND ALL THE RELEVANT CONSTITUTED AUTHORITIES OF THE OFUOMA COMMUNITY WISH TO STATE AS FOLLOWS:

 

1. By mid-2019 two electoral committees were constituted for each of the two-quarters of Ofuoma (North & South) in accordance with the Ofuoma 2016 Constitution.
2. The Ofuoma North Committee was made up of 6 persons: Chief Moses Erhabor (Chairman), Olorogun Dr. Isaac Akpoveta (Secretary), Chief Godwin Akpoguma, Mr. Clarke Akpoguma (Senior Spokesman of Ofuoma), Mr. Arigo (Treasurer), Mr Jemojigho Samuel.
3. The Committee screened four (4) presidential aspirants and cleared all to contest the election. It should be noted that Chief Erhabor and Samuel Jemojigho protested the clearance of two of the aspirants – Mr Saturday Asakpa and Mr. Godfrey Etabuko. On voting, 4 out of 6 Committee members voted for the clearance of the two aspirants having reviewed the constitution properly, that is, Mr. Asakpa & Mr. Etabuko. In tandem with democratic doctrines, all four were cleared to contest the election meant to hold in November 2019.

To the surprise of the well-meaning majority of the community members, some of the Chiefs listed above led by Chief D G Afataka and Chief Moses Erhabor instigated one of the aspirants, Mr. Edwin Akporike to protest the screening results.

4. They then presented their objection to the Elders’ Council. After a review of the contentious issues, the Elders’ Council concluded that all four aspirants were qualified to contest the election and they should so be allowed to contest.

It should be noted that the Elders’ Council of Ofuoma is an age-long body constituted by elders who have attained the age of 60 years and above and have performed the rites of being admitted into the council. The council is headed by the six 6 most senior elders – 3 from North and 3 from the South of Ofuoma, with the Oldest man as the Chairman. The chiefs are just members with only advisory status. The Council reports to the King of Ughelli Kingdom when the need arises. The current Chairman of the Ofuoma Elders’ Council is Pa Onome Okena. Chief Afatakpa is not even among the first 20 of Ofuoma Elders’ council.

5. Not yet done Chief D.G. Afatakpa personally signed a petition on behalf of the protesting aspirant to the Commissioner of Police. The Police invited all concerned, with Chief Afatakpa (for his group) and Olorogun Dr. Akpoveta (mandated by the Elders) in attendance, to Ughelli Area B command Agbarha. The DPO who personally listened patiently to all, again concluded that all four aspirants should take part in the said election. We all, there and then, agreed that the election should be conducted on the 8th of August 2019, with the DPO promising to provide adequate security.
6. Chief Afatakpa and his group still refused, citing the constitution. At this juncture the entire Community at the instance of the Elders Council mandated Chief Afatakpa to seek legal interpretation of the Ofuoma 2016 Constitution as regards the two aspirant in question. THE REPORT WAS NOT SUBMITTED TO THE ELDERS COUNCIL FOR MONTHS.

 

7. Without disclosing the legal advice to the Ofuoma Community Chief Afatakpa led 8 other chiefs to HRM, the Ovie of the Great Ughelli Kingdom to report the Elders and Olorogun Dr Isaac Akpoveta for daring to oppose their autocratic ban of the two aspirants.

The King in his wisdom decided to constitute and expand his Royal Court to hear both sides of the disagreement. In attendance were: HRM in His Esteemed Presence, The Iyasere(now late), the Izomo, Chief Miller Uloho (the most Senior Olorogun of Ughelli Kingdom), The President General of the Great Ughelli Kingdom – Chief Pius Omobaye, The Otota of the Great Ughelle Kingdom – Chief Peter Akpofure, Chief Tony Oharisi (the Scion of the Oharisi Royal Family, John Oharisi, the Area Commander of Ughelli Area Command, the DPO Area A, DPO Area B, Commanding Officer of the 22 Battalion, O/C SSS.

8. And Ofuoma Community was represented by:

–           Elders Council (6 most Senior Elders – 3 from North & 3 from South).

–           The Women Councils – 5 from North and 5 from South

–           The Youth Council (5 North, 5 South)

–           Chief Afatakpa with 6 of the Chiefs listed above for themselves.

–           Olorogun Dr Akpoveta, Chief G. Akpoguma and Chief Egbagbarha on behalf of the Ofuoma Community.

The case was presented before the eminent personalities listed above.

While Chief Afataka presented on behalf of himself and his co-chiefs, Olorogun Dr Akpoveta presented the view of the Ofuoma Community.

It should be noted that it was during the course of the adjudication that Chief Afatakpa was confronted with a copy of his legal adviser’s recommendation. After his confirmation, copies were distributed to all Panel members including HRM.

To the surprise of all present, the conclusion of the legal advice was that “THE TWO ASPIRANTS – ETABUKO AND ASAKPA WERE QUALIFIED TO CONTEST THE ELECTION”. Chief Afatakpa hid those reports from the Elders’ Council that mandated him to seek legal advice in the first place. What a shame!

9. After a thorough review of presentations, including documents submitted by both sides, Plaintiffs and the Respondents, the eminent panel above, arrived at a Judgment that was pronounced by HRM the King:

HRM’s Judgment:

“ALL FOUR ASPIRANTS ARE QUALIFIED TO TAKE PART IN THE ELECTION. THAT SINCE DEMOCRACY HAS BEEN ACCEPTED WORLDWIDE AS THE IDEAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT, NO ONE SHOULD BE AUTOCRATICALLY EXCLUDED FROM THE ELECTION”.

10. The Judgment was well accepted by all including the entire Ofuoma Community Elders, Women and Youth and the Chiefs. But surprisingly they relegated the Judgment of the case they instituted and lost.
11. About two months later they revisited HRM to reconsider his Judgment. HRM patiently reconstituted another Panel to review the case. This time the Chiefs’ main objection was the location of the election, stating that if the election should take place in Ofuoma Community, there would be bloodshed.

The King in his wisdom again decided that the election, being a delegate election with less than 200 elders of 60 years and above, be conducted in his Palace with adequate security. There was no objection to HRM pronouncement.

12. On the appointed day, buses brought delegates to the Palace and the election was conducted by a Panel set up by HRM, made up of the Iyasere, the Izomo, the President General, Chief Azini and the Secretary of the Royal Court. It was observed by the security services. It should be noted that some aspirants boycotted the election which of course did not invalidate the election. Mr. Godfrey Etabuko emerged as the president.
13. To the surprise of all including HRM, the Chiefs again encourage Mr Akporike, to institute a legal case to stop Mr. Godfrey Etabuko from performing his constitutional duties as President of Ofuoma Committee. This case lingered until November 4th 2021 when Mr, Edwin Akporike withdrew his case and was struck out by the court.

14. Freed of any legal encumbrances and without any injunction or a stay of execution, Mr. Godfrey Etabuko resume his duties as the President of Ofuoma Community since then.
15. Armed with the Certified True Copies (CTC) of the Judgment the President approached all authorities including CDB, OMEL 30, School of Health Ofuoma, the Ughelli Descendent Union, the Area Command, and Division A and B, and of course the Elders Council and Entire Community of Ofuoma. He is still being accorded full recognition as the President of Ofuoma community.
16. We wish all to note that though the Afatakpa’s Council of Chiefs and Chief Theo Mukoro and Akporike have instituted new cases in court attempting to stop the President, they are all pending.

That is NO RULING or JUDGMENT encumbering Godfrey from excessing his function as President of Ofuoma community.

If there is any, may we use this medium to challenge the renegade Chiefs and their ignorant followers to present it for public view, the CTC of any Judgment precluding Godfrey from being the president of Ofuoma.

17. We, the undersigned, herein state unequivocally that Mr Godfrey Etabuko is the duly elected president (with his Exco) to govern Ofuoma Community. THEREFORE NO LEADERSHIP VACUUM IN OFUOMA.
18. The Elders’ Council wishes to appeal to well-meaning notables men in the society to advise Chief D. G. Afatakpa and his cohorts to leave we old men and women of Ofuoma alone. If he cannot bring development to Ofuoma like Olorogun Dr Isaac Akpoveta has been doing, he can at least leave us and the President of Ofuoma community alone.
19. We wish to also use this medium to once more implore all authorities to accord Mr Godfrey Etabuko his due respect as the president and allow him to perform his constitutional duties.

Signed:

Pa Onome Okena                                 –    Eldest man

Pa Thomas Okorugbo                                 –  2nd Eldest Man

Mr John Emudeanegho                 –  Otota 1 (Senior Spokesman)

Mr Evuabore                                     –  Otota 2 (2nd Spokesman)

Mr Awo Ogboro                                –  Secretary Elders Council

Mr Wilson Ejiro Okorugbo             -Youth Leader

Mrs Ugbi                                            –   Women Leader.