Ugoani of Okpanam Kingdom, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty (Dr.) Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu (JP) has said, the exercise leading to the production of a constitution for the Okpanam Youth Organisation, OYO constitution is fraught with several ambiguities.
The Monarch, who disclosed this during the meeting of Ugoani – In – Council, weekend, also said that the Ugoani – In – Council, was not aware of any committee, put in place for a congress, ahead of the planned Okpanam Youth Organisation elections. “The Council is also not aware of persons, signifying interest in the proposed election”, he added.
Arising from this, therefore, he said, “The Council is going to bend over backwards to sit on a round table with critical stakeholders to work out modalities for a hitch-free election congress at the appropriate time”.
Directly advising the incumbent president of Okpanam Youth Organisation (OYO), the Monarch said, “The price of leadership is enormous. You will be given the names your parents never gave to you in the course of rendering service to your people. All you need do in such a situation is to keep your focus; do not relent. What I, and the Ugoani – In – Council are interested in, and committed to is an Executive Committee for the proposed congress that Okpanam people would be proud of”.
In his remarks, the Ihonor of Okpanam Kingdom, Chief Dominic Anyasi, advised the OYO President, Comrade Okolo to toe the process that brought him to power.” You have done well as the president of the OYO, you are bold and pushfull; I appreciate that, but as far as constituting an Executive Committee for the OYO Congress, you must carry the Ugoani – In – Council along. This is my take in this matter”, he added.
Also, a legal practitioner, Barr. Akashidiolu advised stakeholders of OYO and the Executive members to be mindful of their choice of words, saying, “For anybody to say, the said Okpanam Youth Organisation Constitution is absolute, and that the organisation is independent is absord and unacceptable”.
“Whatever constitution the OYO claimes to have, and by extension, the content is subject to the Ugoani, and Ugoani – In – Council’s scrutiny and approval. Anything short of that is unacceptable by law”, he said.
In his response, the OYO President, Comrade Okolo said, not until his tenure expires, he remains the President, OYO. “And when that time comes, I’ll be ready to step down for someone else to continue from where I’ve stopped. But as far as I’m concerned, I remain totally committed and loyal to the Ugoani – In – Council in the performance of my official duties as President of OYO”.
