News
Otor-Ogor Erupts as Women, Youths, Elders Reject President-General, Demand His Immediate Resignation
By Francis Sadhere, Warri
A major leadership crisis has engulfed Otor-Ogor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State as women, youths and elders have unanimously rejected the President-General of the community, Mr. Emmanuel Edirin, accusing him of maladministration, abuse of office, intimidation and imposing illegal levies on residents.
The aggrieved residents, who openly declared that they had lost confidence in the community leader, called for his immediate resignation, insisting that his continued stay in office posed a threat to the peace and unity of the community.
The protesters made their position known during a solidarity visit to the traditional ruler of the kingdom, HRM Okiuemute Igere I, where they also commended the monarch for facilitating the release of nine community members who were allegedly arrested during the crisis.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Mrs. Paris Oghenetejiri and the APC Assistant Women Leader in the community, Mrs. Laureta Eshere, accused the President-General of running the affairs of the community like a personal empire.
According to them, residents have lived in fear under his administration due to alleged harassment, intimidation and victimisation of anyone perceived to oppose his leadership.
The women alleged that the President-General arbitrarily disconnected electricity supply to the homes of several residents, including elderly persons, and accused him of using a self-created security outfit, code-named “Operation No Mercy,” to intimidate members of the community.
They further alleged that he sold community lands, including areas regarded as sacred forests, without the consent of the people.
“We don’t want him again. He should resign. Our community has not known peace since he assumed office. We are suffering intimidation and oppression. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should come to our rescue,” they declared.
The protesters also dismissed claims that the agitation was politically motivated, insisting that their rejection of the President-General had nothing to do with politics.
“We remain solidly behind Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and support his administration. This is purely about the suffering our people have endured under the current community leadership,” they said.
Also speaking, community leader Hon. Peter Adjekpiyede described the rejection of the President-General as the collective decision of the people, insisting that it was triggered by what he termed poor leadership and disregard for the welfare of residents.
According to him, the President-General allegedly imposed various illegal charges on developers and residents, including levies for building projects and electricity connections, despite the Delta State Government’s directive against illegal development levies, popularly known as “DEVE.”
He further alleged that the community leader interfered with the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise by attempting to prevent some residents from registering.
Adjekpiyede also claimed he was physically assaulted during a disagreement with the President-General and had reported the incident to the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He stressed that the crisis was not politically driven but stemmed from widespread dissatisfaction with the administration of the President-General.
As tensions continued to rise in the community, the protesters appealed to Governor Oborevwori and relevant security agencies to intervene urgently to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
However, when contacted, the embattled President-General, Mr. Emmanuel Edirin, denied all the allegations against him.
He maintained that disciplinary measures taken against some residents, including Hon. Adjekpiyede, were in line with the community’s constitution, insisting that the sanctions followed the commission of acts regarded by the community as abominable.
Despite his denial, the open rejection by women, youths and elders has exposed deep divisions within Otor-Ogor, with many residents calling for urgent intervention to restore peace and stability in the community.
A major leadership crisis has engulfed Otor-Ogor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State as women, youths and elders have unanimously rejected the President-General of the community, Mr. Emmanuel Edirin, accusing him of maladministration, abuse of office, intimidation and imposing illegal levies on residents.
The aggrieved residents, who openly declared that they had lost confidence in the community leader, called for his immediate resignation, insisting that his continued stay in office posed a threat to the peace and unity of the community.
The protesters made their position known during a solidarity visit to the traditional ruler of the kingdom, HRM Okiuemute Igere I, where they also commended the monarch for facilitating the release of nine community members who were allegedly arrested during the crisis.
Speaking on behalf of the women, Mrs. Paris Oghenetejiri and the APC Assistant Women Leader in the community, Mrs. Laureta Eshere, accused the President-General of running the affairs of the community like a personal empire.
According to them, residents have lived in fear under his administration due to alleged harassment, intimidation and victimisation of anyone perceived to oppose his leadership.
The women alleged that the President-General arbitrarily disconnected electricity supply to the homes of several residents, including elderly persons, and accused him of using a self-created security outfit, code-named “Operation No Mercy,” to intimidate members of the community.
They further alleged that he sold community lands, including areas regarded as sacred forests, without the consent of the people.
“We don’t want him again. He should resign. Our community has not known peace since he assumed office. We are suffering intimidation and oppression. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori should come to our rescue,” they declared.
The protesters also dismissed claims that the agitation was politically motivated, insisting that their rejection of the President-General had nothing to do with politics.
“We remain solidly behind Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and support his administration. This is purely about the suffering our people have endured under the current community leadership,” they said.
Also speaking, community leader Hon. Peter Adjekpiyede described the rejection of the President-General as the collective decision of the people, insisting that it was triggered by what he termed poor leadership and disregard for the welfare of residents.
According to him, the President-General allegedly imposed various illegal charges on developers and residents, including levies for building projects and electricity connections, despite the Delta State Government’s directive against illegal development levies, popularly known as “DEVE.”
He further alleged that the community leader interfered with the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise by attempting to prevent some residents from registering.
Adjekpiyede also claimed he was physically assaulted during a disagreement with the President-General and had reported the incident to the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He stressed that the crisis was not politically driven but stemmed from widespread dissatisfaction with the administration of the President-General.
As tensions continued to rise in the community, the protesters appealed to Governor Oborevwori and relevant security agencies to intervene urgently to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
However, when contacted, the embattled President-General, Mr. Emmanuel Edirin, denied all the allegations against him.
He maintained that disciplinary measures taken against some residents, including Hon. Adjekpiyede, were in line with the community’s constitution, insisting that the sanctions followed the commission of acts regarded by the community as abominable.
Despite his denial, the open rejection by women, youths and elders has exposed deep divisions within Otor-Ogor, with many residents calling for urgent intervention to restore peace and stability in the community.
