BY UFUOMA AJUWAH
The Chairman, Udu Local Government, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode has warned past leadership of Emadaja community and others frustrating peaceful transition and subsequent development of the community.
He noted that some persons already identified by the government were causing unrest and undermining the peaceful process in resolving the leadership tussle in Emadaja community.
The chairman made this declaration during the inauguration of the new executives nominated and elected lawfully according to the community’s constitution.
The new EXCO are Mr. Oshemujede Ogbodu, President; Mr. Lawrence Jedje, vice President; Evang. Okoro Emmanuel Osiobe, Secretary; Comrade Kevwe Omuru, Assistant Secretary; Mr. Wilson Tanure, Treasurer; Mr. Bernard Vwamray, Financial Secretary; Mr. Isaac Ovedje, PRO; Evang. Saturday Duvwudje, Spokesman; Mr. Ismael Okohwoake, Assistant Spokesman, and Mr. Friday Okpakojerehor, Youth Leader.
Oyibode cautioned that those causing crises in Emadaja will be arrested by the security agencies, especially former executives and others instigating them to foment trouble and appealed to them to allow peace to reign in Emadaja to avoid them being arrested.
The President-General of Udu (UUC), Mr Andrew Donkie and the newly sworn-in President, Mr. Oshemujede commended the chairman for his effort on the part of peace and justice and promised to unite the aggrieved.
Meanwhile, the Chairman has broken his silence on alleged leadership tussle in Emadadja Community, describing the recent protest and circulating narratives as “window dressing” and lacking the benefit of hearing both sides. In a statement released at the weekend , the Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to truth, equity, and justice, emphasizing that he had no personal interest in who emerges as leader in any community but was only concerned with peace and due process.
“This is my home, my family. What will I gain by oppressing one for another? What will I gain by imposing a candidate on the Emadadja community?” Oyibode queried.
He accused the former President-General of Emadadja of being the architect of the crisis, revealing that despite a mutual resolution reached after considering petitions from two factions within the Asanovwe quarter, he remained adamant.
According to Oyibode, after extensive deliberations, it was agreed that the presidency of the community be zoned to a particular family that had been marginalized. Representatives from the four families under Asanovwe were to each nominate five delegates to select a qualified candidate, with a minimum of SSCE.
“I sent Chief Donald Brosu to observe the process. A name was agreed upon and reported back to me. Though Chief Brosu couldn’t confirm his academic qualification at the time, it was confirmed that the nominee hailed from the agreed family,” he stated.
Oyibode regretted that a party later reneged on the agreement, attempting to impose his preferred candidates for the positions of President-General, Secretary, and Youth Leader, despite not being from the designated families, adding that the move Emadadja’s traditional zoning arrangement.
“Even Chief Kenneth Oboku, in whose house a meeting was held, was disappointed,” Oyibode revealed.
Shockingly, the Chairman recounted that by 7 a.m. the following morning, four trucks of Operation Delta Sweep was deployed to install his preferred candidates by force, resulting in injuries and a breach of peace. The commanding naval officer, recognizing Oyibode, called to report the irregularity and later apologized.
