Jubilations In Udu As Oyibode, Emaduku, Orugbo, Others Emerge UTC Members
…As Oborevwori charges Udu leaders to embrace peace
By Tobore Akpososo
Jubilations have erupted across Udu towns and villages as the protracted traditional leadership crisis rocking Udu Kingdom in the absence of a dully constituted Udu Traditional Council has been laid to rest with the inauguration of the Council at Government House, Asaba, just as the governor has urged Udu people to embrace peace and work with the new leadership in the progress of the land.
The inauguration of the Udu Traditional Council (UTC) headed by the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM Barr Dr E.B.O Delekpe as Chairman and High Chief Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Council as alternate Chairman, was the high point of the intervention of the Delta State Government in the protracted leadership crisis in Udu which snowballed into a peace meeting on August 14, 2024 at Otor-Udu where it was resolved that community leaders and elders should nominate 4 representatives per ruling house to the Udu Traditional Council in line with the provisions of the 1979 Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy Edict. The ruling houses were also mandated to nominate a representative each to form the caretaker committee of the Union of Udu Communities (UUC) with a mandate to conduct elections for a substantive Executive for the UUC.
Inaugurating the UTC and UUC on Monday, Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Orowhedor Oborevwori, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, charges the people on the need to work as a team in building the Udu of their dream.
The Governor appealed to members of the Udu Traditional Council to work in harmony with the Udu monarch, stressing that what was important was the peace and progress of Udu.
Those inaugurated to the Udu Traditional Council were High Chief Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, High Chief Austin Emaduku, Okrika 1, High Chief Oghene-aga Andrew Orugbo, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, High Chief Eddie Ono-Sorhue, High Chief Henry Afure Sakpra, High Chief Godwin Notoma, High Chief B.J Egbatamah, High Chief JIte Brown, High Chief J.B Onoherhe, High Chief Francis Orogun and Sunday Subi.
Others are Bishop Dr Duke Ovie Akpososo, High Chief J.B Onoherhe, High Chief Johnbull Asun, High Chief Esiso Akunuhor, High Chief Otto Ogbiruveta, High Chief Austin Lafua, High Chief Joseph Odjeni, Onovughe Sunday Agan, Patrick Okorugbo, Goddy Refo, Balogun Simakoro, High Chief Solomon Kpomah, High Chief Lucky Ughelli, High Chief Lucky Dibofu, Austin Ubido, High Chief Steve Sokoh and High Chief Patrick Diamond Egbeta.
Also inaugurated were the caretaker Committee for the Union of Udu Communities with one member from each of the rulings houses as follows: Hon Chief Peter Okagbare Uviejitobor, Acting President General, Mr Matthew Ogheneovo, Secretary, Chief Austin Lafua, Ovie nominee, Apostle Ibru Charles Tetebe, Joseph Eyovwerhuvwu, Chief Joseph Tefue, Hon Eki Afuevure, Mr Midwest Wetah and Pa Daniel Rioka.
The UUC caretaker committee has three months within which to conduct an election to elect the substantive executive for Udu Kingdom.
The inauguration did not go without some drama as some elegantly dressed chiefs, who believed they could influence the process in Asaba were walked out of Government House as the accreditation did not give them access into the venue.
Meanwhile, Udu towns and villages have erupted in jubilations with the acceptance of their nominees into the UTC as stipulated by the extant rules, giving them a voice in the affairs of the kingdom.
The Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRM Barr (Dr) E.B.O Delekpe JP, and the Otota of Udu Kingdom, High Chief Sam Odibo were at the inauguration ceremony.
A highly elated High Chief Vincent Oyibode thanked the governor for listening to the voice of Udu people, assuring that with the present development, peace has returned to Udu as a dully constituted UTC will now take decisions with the Ovie-in-Council on the progress of Udu.
