Elders of Uteh Ekoko Community in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo State have called on the state government, security agencies and other relevant authorities to enforce compliance with the ruling of the State Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee (PCRC), on the intra-communal crisis, rocking the community.
The elders, comprising the Odionwere of Uteh Ekoko, Pa Igbinosun Igbinedion, Odionwere of Ugbedo Village, Pa Agbonmamwenwaen Edogiawerie, Odionwere of Ekieuwa Village, Chief John Uwuigbe, Ohen Ekoko, Oduware Omorodion, the four villages under Uteh Ekoko Dukedom, and the Elders Secretary, Pa Elliott Osage, alleged that the Enogie of Uteh Ekoko HRH. Ogieayevbona Igbinenikao and some others have thwarted the elders efforts at conducting election into various position of the Community Development Association, (CDA), as directed by PCRC in its final ruling, last year.
Article 1, 3 and 4 of the PCRC final ruling on Utah-Ekoko Community Crisis, copy, dated 29th Oct 2015, and made available to WEEKEND OBSERVER, stated that; “the Enogie of Uteh Ekoko community is the administrative traditional head of the community.
“That for the purpose of peace, the committee recommends that fresh elections into the offices of the CDA be conducted within 8 (eight) weeks from the date of this decision.
“That the Enogie as patron with the active participation and support of the Odionwere and elders of the community must ensure that they nominate equal number of persons to run for the election from both groups of persons that had issues that led to this crisis in the community”, respectively.
Our reporter’s fact finding tour of the embattled community last weekend, revealed that the community is yet to have a democratically elected and Edo State-Government recognized officials to pilot the affairs of the CDA.
It was learnt that the certificate of the former CDA was revoked by the state government at the wake of the conflict.
Condemning the non-compliance with the PCRC recommendations, the elders also attributed it to criminal attempt by some individuals in the community to nominate and impose their few cronies on the majority of the locality.
It was further gathered that as part of efforts to conduct election for the CDA, the Enogie constituted a five-man election committee and appointed one Pa Elliott Osagie, as the Chairman.
Contacted, Pa. Elliott Osagie stated that the Enogie instructed his committee to sell application form to interested aspirants to the CDA.
He said no fewer than eight aspirants already collected the application form at N10, 000.00 each.
Pa Elliott stated that while the preparation for the election was at it peak the Enogie suddenly made a U-turn saying that he is to appoint persons into the CDA.
He maintained that the community elders swiftly objected to the Enogie sudden position, insisting on the conduct of the election.
He further stated that the elders objection did not go down well with the Enogie who subsequently summoned the Elders to the Palace of Enogie of Egbaen.
Elders and youths however denied ever harassing the Enogie or his boys.
The Vice Chairman of the proscribed CDA Mr Idele Osagie and the youths Chairman, Osawaru Iguma appealed to the government, relevant authorities to prevail on the Enogie and his supporters to allow the conduct of the election.
The Edionwere however expressed readiness to work with the Enogie towards the enthronement of peace in Uteh-Ekoko Community.
When our reporter visited the Enogie Palace in Uteh Ekoko Community to obtain his response, the gate was under lock and key.
It was further scooped that efforts to conduct the election was again thwarted in the community, last weekend.
