By Tobore Akpososo
The body of presidents of the 32 Udu communities in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State tagged Community Presidents Forum, have called on the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM Dr E.B.O Delekpe JP to dissolve the 30th anniversary coronation committee of the King over concerns bordering on potential source of conflict and division in the Kingdom, stressing that the state government position on composition of the Udu Traditional Council was sacrosanct.
In a communiqué issued after a meeting on November 21, 2024 with the 30th anniversary planning committee, the Udu community presidents led by Engr John Uviejitobor, acting Super President, Udu Kingdom and Pastor Nyekigbe Nyerhovwo Great, acting Super Secretary, Udu Kingdom, the Forum endorses the state government directive for the Udu Monarch, HRM Barr E.B.O Delekpe to establish the Udu Traditional Council of Chiefs with representatives from the seven ruling houses in line with the Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Edict 1979.
‘’The move is crucial for maintaining the cultural heritage and administrative integrity of the Kingdom. The CPF also supports a swift election process to be completed between three months to one year to elect a substantive President General and Executives for the Union of Udu Communities’’.
While the Forum supports the idea of the 30th Year Anniversary celebration of the Ovie of Udu Kingdom on the throne as a platform to showcase the rich culture of Udu to the rest of the world, the community presidents expressed reservations with its deviation from ‘’the established directives of the UUC Caretaker Committee and the Delta State Government; the committee’s unilateral actions and its disregards for cohesive directives aimed at maintaining peace.’’
The Forum maintains that the Udu Traditional Council already inaugurated by the State Government should be given its due recognition in line with the directive of the state governor for it to perform her function in the interest of Udu peace and development, condemning any administrative structure that could threaten the stability of the Kingdom, and further stressing that all committees in place except the caretaker committee set up by the state government be disbanded.
The Communiqué which was signed by 25 community presidents in Udu Kingdom, also commend the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for the intervention that has brought peace and stability to the polity, urging all Udu sons and daughters as well as residents to embrace dialogue in resolving all other issues germane to the progress of Udu Kingdom.
