By Tejiri Ebikeme
National Executives of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM), Delta Stat Exco ad Isoko Exco, have warned Mr. Maikpobi Okareme and Mr. Morrister Idibra to stop parading themselves as the National Coordinator and the Chairman of HOSTCOM respectively, saying that HOSTCOM does not recognize them as such.
The national Executive of HOSTCOM stated this yesterday in a statement made available to our correspondent in Warri and signed by Hon. Ben Eweta (State Chairman), Hon. Lucky A. Odiri (Chairman Isoko Ethnic Nationality), Dr. Mike Emuh (National PRO, member, Board of Trustee), Chief Lucky O. Obi (Isoko Patron), Mr. Godspower Ogoha (Isoko Patron) and Madam Mercy Ogbu (Isoko Woman Leader).
While disowning and declaring both Mr. Okareme and Mr. Idibra as person-non-grater, the group advised members of the public not to have any dealings with them as they were never nominated, selected nor elected by the Isoko HOSTCOM as members of their Exco.
According to the statement: “The National Executive, Delta State and Isoko Exco of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, attention had been drawn to the recent publication in some national dailies in which a so-called HOSTCOM Chieftain, one Mr. Maikpobi Okareme alluded that he was the National Coordinator of HOSTCOM. It is not only absurd, presumptuous and preposterous, but a sheer invasion, impersonation and violation of HOSTCOM National Constitution which has no such position of a National Coordinator.
“We, the HOSTCOM Board of Trustee, Delta HOSTCOM Exco and Isoko HOSTCOM ethnic nationlaty hereby declare Mr. Maikpobi Okareme a person-non-grater, an imposter and a usurper. The public should take proper note of this self-imposed so-called National Coordinator, Mr. Maikpobi Okareme (Prince) who was not nominated, selected nor elected by the good people of Isoko or Ozoro Kingdom any day as HOSTCOM Coordinator.
HOSTCOM, therefore warned Mr. Okareme who they described as a failed DESOPADEC contractor and who has never attended the Delta Exco or Isoko HOSTCOM monthly meeting in the past seven years, to desist from parading himself as a National Coordinator of HOSTCOM.
The Host Communities also frowned at the actions of one Comrade Morrister Idibra of Uzere town who they said wrote and published a utopia against the goodwill of Isoko nation, noting that he was never mandated by Isoko Development Union (IDU), Isoko HOSTCOM, Isoko President Generals, Great Traditional rulers of Isoko Kingdoms nor Isoko HOSTCOM to fight and Executive Bill presented by His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State on a new Commission, Agency and Corporation for the benefit of the oil communities in the state which is before the State House of Assembly for public hearing.
The statement read further: He has no mandate to speak on behalf of the good and great people of Isoko Nation or HOSTCOM of Isoko, as Isoko PGs, Kings and Isoko Development Union (IDU) only recognized the Hon. Lucky Odiri Akpode, Isoko HOSTCOM Exco, both at the State and at the National levels of HOSTCOM. Mr. Morrister Idibra is an impostor and usurper who must be called to order by his kinsmen who formally withdrew him from HOSTCOM with a letter of distrust from Uzere Kingdom and Isoko Development Union (IDU).
The public should beware of Mr. Morrister Idibras utterances (words), ways and statements of division, confusion and disorder as the good and great people of Isoko recognized Hon. Lucky O. Akpode as true HOSTCOM Executive that is empowered by Isoko Development Union (IDU), Isoko PGs and Traditional Rulers.
The group stated that Isoko people speak in one voice and were not for or against the New Bill but that the bill must be subject to debate, public hearing and input before passing it into law, adding that Isoko HOSTCOM stand to support the new bill and to take the lead on the PIB, the 13% Derivation and Pipeline Surveillance.
