**** Alleges He is the Cause of Their Problem
****Meeting Not Summoned By Authority Of Community Head, Says Source
By Our Correspondent
SOME members of troubled Ekpan community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State have called for the removal of Chief Newton Agbofodoh, the Unuevworo of Ekpan kingdom, alleging that he is the cause of the incessant crisis rocking the community since 2004.
A faction of the Ekpan people who staged a peaceful protest through the streets of the Community to the palace of their monarch, His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom said they had to embark on the peace protest because they were tired of killings in the community.
Organizers of the peaceful protest, Ekpan Integrity Group headed by Barrister Innocent Akpototedja-Adjenughure and Hon. Urumedji Kingsley, President and Secretary respectively, alleged that Chief Agbofodoh has been the cause of crisis facing the community.
They therefore, called on the monarch to withdraw the chieftaincy title given to Chief Agbofodoh for “his dictatorial and tyrannical leadership” which they alleged has plunged the community into the present crisis it was facing.
The group also accused Chief Agbofodoh of unilaterally recommending his cronies for contract and employment without transparency and due process.
The group said; “Chief Agbofodoh also amended the Ekpan Development Committee Constitution without following due procedure as stated in the constitution and with the unilaterally amended constitution, he handpicked the present committee stating that, ‘I am the Unuevworo and if anyone is not satisfied with my action should wait until you are enthroned as Unuevworo’.
We are therefore demanding the removal of Chief Newton Agbofodoh as the Unuevworo of Ekpan.”
Various speakers at the palace of the monarch called for the removal of Chief Agbofodoh as the traditional head of Ekpan Community alleging that since he was arrested for alleged murder three weeks ago, the community has been enjoying peace.
One of the speakers who claimed he was speaking on behalf of one of the nine quarters in the community, Mr. Williams Akpolo stressed that peace eluded the community since Chief Agbofodoh was made a chief in the community.
He alleged that since Chief Agbofodoh was made in a chief in the community assassination and murder became the order of the day in the community.
Others who spoke on behalf of their quarters revolted against Chief Agbofodo and capped it with appeal to the royal father to withdraw the chieftaincy title given to Chief Agbofodoh.
They claimed that his removal was the only solution for lasting peace in Ekpan community.
Responding, the monarch of Uvwie Kingdom, Abe 1, lauded the people for their peaceful conduct during the protest and appealed for calm and understanding.
The monarch however assured the people that he will do everything necessary to ensure that peace returns to the kingdom,imploring them to remain law abiding people.
On the issue of their request for the immediate withdrawal of the Chieftaincy title given to Chief Agbofodoh, the monarch, however, reminded them that Chief Agbofodoh is under arrest for alleged murder, adding that until Chief Agbofodoh is proven guilty or otherwise, he will not want to delve into a matter that was before the court.
He assured them that once the court convicts Chief Agbofodoh he and his chiefs will not hesitate to strip him off the chieftaincy title as requested by the people.
The monarch went ahead to remind the people that he and his chiefs have been working very hard to bring peace to the community before now. He noted that the crisis in the community involves two factions and that he is doing everything within his power to bring the two factions together.
But in a swift reaction to the calls for the removal of Chief Agbofodoh by some people in the community, a dependable source close to Chief Agbofodoh and who did not want his name in print, told our reporter in an interview that those calling for the removal of Agbofodoh did not have the authority of the community leadership to do that.
According to him, the protest and calls for the removal of Chief Agbofodoh was championed by a factional leadership in the community who wants to take over the position of Agbofodoh, adding that they were capitalizing on his arrest by the police for alleged murder to call for his removal.
He said, “That meeting was not summoned by the Authority of the community head. It was summoned by a factional leadership in the community. Chief (Barrister) Victor Otomiewo who is now the acting Unuovworo of the community did not summon any meeting like that. When they protested to the palace of the Ovie, he told them that it was only when the court pronounced Chief Agbofodoh guilty or when he dies, that he will cease to be the Unuevworo of the community.”
