OROGHO (ORHIONMWON): The leadership crisis in Orogho Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, has taken a new turn, with the Council of Elders dismissing allegations against the Enogie and questioning the authority of two indigenes to speak on behalf of the community.
The latest development followed claims attributed to Mr. Osahon Imaru that the Enogie had been absent from community festivals and other activities and was allegedly running the affairs of the community through proxies.
Imaru also reportedly raised concerns over the management of community funds.
However, the Council of Elders, through its spokesperson, Mr. Aguebor Ebo, rejected the allegations, describing them as unfounded.
Ebo, who spoke during a meeting of the Council of Elders in Orogho, maintained that the Enogie had consistently participated in the community’s festivals and other important activities, contrary to the claims attributed to some aggrieved members.
Also speaking, the Secretary of Orogho Community, Mr. Ikponmwonsa Osayomore, challenged the right of Imaru and Mr. Stanley Osemekha to speak or act on behalf of the entire community.
Osayomore acknowledged that the two men are indigenes of Orogho but said they had no mandate from the recognised leadership structure to represent the community or issue statements on its behalf.
He said Orogho had an established leadership structure created by the people to administer the community and promote peace, order and unity.
According to him, Imaru and Osemekha had previously participated in the community’s leadership process for about two years and were involved in the formulation of the Orogho Community Constitution.
Osayomore said the constitution serves as a working document for the community and provides guidelines for the nomination of members of the Orogho Community Council of Representatives.
He alleged that the disagreement escalated after nominees from the quarter of the two men were not included in the Council of Representatives during the last nomination exercise.
The community secretary claimed that the development subsequently led to challenges against the existing leadership structure, which he said could create tension within the community.
Osayomore also raised counter-claims concerning Imaru’s activities as a member of the Orogho Community Board of Trustees, particularly in relation to the management and utilisation of funds connected with host-community development activities.
He alleged that a borehole earlier constructed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was refurbished and subsequently presented as a new community development project.
Osayomore called for clarification on the source, purpose and utilisation of funds allegedly associated with the project.
He further questioned Imaru’s record of contributions to the development of Orogho during his years in public service, asking what tangible development projects and employment opportunities he had attracted to the community.
The allegations and counter-claims could not, however, be independently verified.
The Council of Elders said its position was not aimed at stifling dissent but at protecting the community’s established leadership structure and preventing competing claims of representation.
Osayomore stressed that anyone seeking to speak or act on behalf of Orogho Community should obtain the mandate of its recognised leadership structure.
The Council urged parties to channel disagreements through the appropriate internal mechanisms, saying the peace, unity and development of Orogho should remain the priority.
