By Paul Egede/Jerry Omokri/Innocent Osakwe/Isioma Carlos/Austin Omilo
There have been rumours of alleged conflict of roles between some traditional rulers and community Presidents General in parts of Delta State, resulting in the disturbance of peace and tranquillity in affected Communities or kingdoms. To get to the root of this, The Pointer Platform team carried out an investigation by reaching out to selected Presidents General. Bello is what they have to say.
AGBARHO
The President-General of Agbarho, in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Chief Oghenerukevwe Edoga has this to say:
“My relationship with the king of Agbarho is cordial. We engage in regular communication that enables me to discuss community and other issues of interest. This way, we put away any form of friction between us.
“My functions as President-General is to manage and assist in the growth and development of the town.
One way of doing that is by the management of sales of land in collaboration with designated Unions. Before a land is sold, the Osuvie (The king), who is the Patron has to give approval. I report to the king.
UGHELLI
Also, the President-General of Ughelli Kingdom, Chief Samuel Akpimegi said: “I am the arrowhead when it comes to administrative issues concerning Ughelli Kingdom. I have a one-on-one relationship with the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori. He is a personal friend and uncle.
As the President General of Ughelli, I have given scholarship to two persons each in all the 22 Communities in Ughelli Kingdom.
The king of Ughelli is strongly behind the office of the President-General. Recently, I had a discussion with him on the issue of Ughelli and the State and he is in full support.
IDUMUESAH KINGDOM
And for the President General of Idumuesah, Chief Angus Obima-Nwali, his functions as President-General is enormous, which includes to ensure that there is an atmosphere of peace and unity among the people living in Idumuesah Community.
“When there is peace and unity among the indigenes, progress and development would be ensured.
“The relationship between me and my King is cordial, and that is why there is peace and progress in Idumusah.
“I was appointed as the PG by my king a few months ago, and since then, I have been working peacefully with him, and other members of my executive to ensure peace , Unity and progress in the land.
ABALA KINGDOM
In the view of Chief Sunny Okiah, the President-General, of Abala Kingdom, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Delta State, “as President General, I engage in selfless interface with relevant agencies- Federal, state and local governments, including other constituted authorities on development issues that affect communities in Abala Kingdom. I also serve as a transversal joining every parallel interests undermining the development of the communities (Abala-Uno, Abala-Obodo and Abala-Oshimili communities) in the Kingdom.
I represent Abala kingdom in all capacities within its status of creation and present communities/Kingdom developmental needs at all times and circumstances to relevant authorities.
In performing these duties, my relationship with my King has been cordial.
However, there are limitations, which include the president-general engaging in activities not indicated in its status of creation. The traditional institution is not a development institution. For this reason, I, as the President-General cannot indulge in altering the existing culture and tradition of communities in Abala Kingdom.
However, as a matter of oversight, as the President General, I can request for the right thing to be done and report defaulters to relevant authorities, where necessary, no matter the defaulters position in the communities of the kingdom.
However, let me say this, generally in the country, we’ve had reports of some presidents-general having conflict with their kings.
A President-General would have conflict with his king if he presents himself as a selfish tool to be used to undermine his kingdom. On the other hand, he can resist any tendency by the king to undermine his subjects’ fundamental rights/traditional rites that are capable of causing anarchy in the community or kingdom.
However, the President General is supposed to provide the needed synergy relevant for the development of his communities/kingdom.
Communication is key and respect for the king is paramount to achieving this. Timely and periodic reports to the king are inevitable. The president-general should not act in the capacity of the king, unless in special cases or events, where the king permits him to represent him.
OWA KINGDOM
In the case of Owa-Alero, where Mr. Christopher Eboh holds sway as the President-General, a robust relationship exists between him and the King, HRM, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II, the Obi of Owa and the immediate past Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council.
“As a matter of fact, there is no atom of friction between me and the Monarch. In his words: “You know, our Obi is a very knowledgeable leader, who served as a member of the Western Nigerian House of Chiefs in 1962 before the creation of Mid-west State and today, he is the longest serving monarch in Nigeria.
So, we, the younger ones have a lot to learn from him”
“My functions as President-General include, liaising between the people, especially the youth and the Obi on one hand and between the community and the government at all levels on the other, without clash of interest between the king and the government. I also coordinate the activities of the youth and the local security operatives, the vigilante.
ALISIMIE
WE ARE ELECTED TO SAFEGUARD OUR COMMUNITIES:
Similarly, the President-General of Alisimie community, Mr Amechi Egede said that they were elected to safeguard the community, secure the people and their property from external forces and to attract developmental projects to the community.
Mr Amechi stated that, they are working tirelessly in improving the quality of life for the people in his community and also involving advancement in the living standard by taking responsibility in road maintenance and other social services.
He said, his executive team has good relationship with the various chiefs in all the quarters that made up Alisimie community and also they have a harmonious working relationship with the overall chief of the community, Dr Augustine Apaokwueze, the Agbasogun 1 of Agbor Kingdom.
He said there is lack of unity among the various quarters in Alisimie community. He believed this to be one of the major responsibility of his office, because for the community to advance to the next level, unity must first be achieved. He added that, if Alisimie is united, other things are secondary.
He revealed that his executive team has been on familiarization tour to various quarters of Alisimie to see the chiefs and subjects as well as to find out their challenges and also proffer solutions when applicable.
He assured the community that members of his executive will not sleep until they have delivered on the mandate given to them by the elders of Alisimie community.
According to him, he has warned his executive to let the interest of Alisimie supercede the interest of their various quarters in order to move Alisimie forward.
He, therefore, solicited for their maximum cooperation, ‘’With their cooperation we will succeed together in bringing developmental projects to Alisimie community,’’ he added.
OKULOHO-OKPE
Wallace Anidi is the immediate past President-General of Okuloho-Okpe Community in Okpe kingdom, Delta State. In his submission, he says, “I enjoyed my tenure as the President-General of my Community because, my relationship with the monarch was robust.”
Wallace holds the view that Community Presidents-General have no reasons to have unresolved issues with their kings because they only play complementary roles to the King and elders in the communities.
ASHAMA
A visit to Ashama, an agrarian community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, revealed that, the challenges faced by communities are similar in many respects.
The President-General of the Community, Bishop Dr. David Brian Ilomechine, who came to power through election in 2024 says, his relationship with the Monarch of the area, HRM, Obi Solomon Eze Chimeylugo II is very cordial.
He commended his traditional ruler, and the relationship between them, and for tackling the insecurity situation in the area from the traditional angle.
UBULU-UNOR
Also in his submission, the immediate past President-General, Unified Ubulu-Unor Development Association (UUDA), Chief Austin Ugbechie said, as president-general, he does not carry out any special function outside the community’s town union executive.
“Whatever function or duties I perform is within the confines of the community’s town union executive, of which, as the President General, I’m the head”.
AGBOR
In Agbor (Ika land), Professor Onyemaechi Ugboh holds the position of President-General. Ugboh who serves presently as a Professor of Agricultural Extension at the University of Delta (UNIDEL), Agbor was elected to the position in his kingdom in April, 2025. According to him, attaining the position of President-General in his community is by election, unlike the kingship which is hereditary.
On his relationship with his monarch, the Dein of Agbor kingdom, as President General, Professor Ugboh views the king, HRM Dr. Benjamin Ikenchuku, keagborekuzi I as a well-traveled and educated man, who understands leadership from so many angles, including that of the youth. Therefore, he has no difficulty relating with the Agbor Community development Union.
“We don’t encroach on Dein’s functional areas, rather, we work in synergy. We report our activities to him and we also do our best to bring the plight of our people to the notice of governments at all levels,” he said.
