Uduere community has urged the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, to refrain from interfering in its upcoming executive election.
In an appeal to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the community called for the governor’s intervention to prevent the council chairman from allegedly imposing a preferred candidate.
Speaking with newsmen, former Uduere Community Chairman, Comr. Benson Akpodamure, explained that the community’s constitution provides for a rotational system for all executive offices among its three quarters.
“In our community, every executive position rotates among the quarters. Once the presidency moves to a particular quarter, others do not interfere,” he stated.
According to him, the presidency has now rotated to the Achophor quarter, where eligible candidates and delegates have already been selected. “We have chosen our representatives, including ten delegates made up of elders and other stakeholders. I am also one of the delegates,” he said.
Akpodamure said tensions arose when an opposing group produced a different list of delegates from the same quarter. He alleged that this list was orchestrated by the outgoing president and endorsed by an individual from another quarter.
“At our community meeting, the oldest man presented a list that came from someone outside our quarter, and it was signed by just one person,” he explained.
He further noted that the authentic list from Achophor was submitted to the Ministry of Women Affairs in Asaba, where it was accepted. However, concerns grew after the council chairman reportedly summoned the community for a meeting.
“When we arrived, he told us that some candidates might be screened out if found unqualified. We could not object because we were in his office,” he said.
Akpodamure insisted that the election should be conducted using the list recognized by the Ministry. “Our demand is simple: use the list approved in Asaba.
Chief Jaro Egbo is not from our quarter—he is from Abovwe—so he should not interfere in Achophor’s process. It appears he has an interest in the election.”
He also alleged that some youths, including Deboy Omonigho and Taire Emoto, were being influenced to weaken Achophor’s voting strength.
Additionally, he disclosed that although the election was initially scheduled for August 16, 2025, the council chairman postponed it without notifying the community.
“We have written to the Governor to inform him of the situation and to ask for his intervention,” he added.
Efforts to reach the Ughelli North council chairman for comments were unsuccessful, as calls to his mobile line went unanswered. However, an aide who spoke anonymously dismissed the allegations.
“The chairman is an organised leader who has restored peace to many communities in Ughelli North. It is untrue that he would instigate a crisis in his own community. The claims in the report are not accurate,” he said.
