By Young Freeborn, Warri
The Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom, His Highness, James Amuke has installed Mr. Fidelis Okrukpe as the new Olotu’Rode (Defence Chief) Olorogun Okoloko Ighariemu as Olotu’Ophraghwa (Deputy Defence Chief), while Mrs. Adjari Ephron returned unopposed as the Odiotu’Ewheya (Woman Leader).
This was at an enlarged meeting called Thursday by His Highness James Amuke in collaboration with the president-general of Unenurhie community, Mr. Williams Ilayah.
The meeting which was held at the community town hall witnessed the attendance of elders and opinion leaders, executive members of the UCDU, women, youths, past UCDU leaders and other members of the community.
Our correspondent reports that all arms of government and standing committees in the community were fully represented in the meeting.
In his speech, the immediate past president-general of Unenurhie community, Mr. Peter Maison suggested that given the court cases and petitions pending at the Ughelli police station, Mr. Moneyard Edjere, Mr. Johnson Abrucha and Mr. Friday Diamond should be allowed to hold their positions in the community.
Maison said this would allow peace to reign in the community and to also settle the leadership tussle amicably.
However, a former youth chairman in the community, Mr. Godspower Orunuaduvwe said, “Since our Odion’Rode has dissolved the two arms of government in the community, we have to obey that and bring new persons to fill all the positions.
“The community belongs to us all. We can’t be afraid of darkness and urinate in our living room. In my conclusion here, all the people that are fighting the community at the moment by taking us to court and the police station shall never be considered for any position in the community for now. They have tagged themselves as enemies of the community. The community therefore can’t dine and wine with her enemies,” he said.
All who spoke on the above matter unanimously agreed that, the three of them being members of the so-called opposition in the community must quit all their positions and not to hold any position in the community until they are ready for peaceful settlement.
After debate, it was agreed by those that attended the meeting that, Mr. Moneyard Edjere, Mr. Johnson Abrucha and Mr. Friday Diamond should not be considered for any position in the community for now.
It would be recalled that two weeks ago, the Odion’Rode also called a meeting at the community’s ancestral hall where he announced to the community and its leaders the dissolution of the Ilotu (men group) and the Idiotu (women group) as key arms of his cabinet.
During the meeting, the Odion’Rode told the leaders of each of the eight streets in the community to present two persons each from both the men and women groups to constitute the two arms of government in the community.
According to the Odion’Rode, the street leaders yielded to his request and submitted same to his council after screening.
Hear him, “As the Odion’Rode of the community, I’m restructuring my council in due process. This is why I dissolved the two arms of government in the community. That’s the Ilotu and the Idiotu. I told street leaders to submit to this my council their selected two persons each after screening. They yielded to this my order and equally submitted same. And secondly, since we have all agreed here today, that those members of the opposition shouldn’t be considered for any position in the community for now, that’s exactly my stand and position as your traditional head.”
In his speech, the new president-general of the community, Mr. Williams Ilayah by thanked all the members of the community for their commitment, determination, courage and boldness since the beginning of the leadership tussle by throwing their full weight behind the leaders of the community. He went further to advised the community youths to always maintain the path of peace and decorum in handling the issue on ground. He also advised them to shun violence and anything that would lead to crisis in the community at this time. The PG again called for peaceful dialogue and reconciliation between the opposition and the community.
The meeting however ended with the installation of Mr. Fidelis Okrukpe as the new Olotu’Rode, Olorogun Okoloko Ighariemu as the new Olotu’Ophraghwa and Mrs. Adjari Ephron as the new Odiotu’Ewheya. This was subjected to a unanimous agreement after different persons shared their views and suggestions on the said issue.
