Women, youths and elders of Otor-Ogor Community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State on Tuesday staged a protest against the President-General of the community, Mr. Emmanuel Edirin, accusing him of high-handedness, maladministration and defiance of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s directive banning illegal development levies.
Key Highlights
- Otor-Ogor Residents Protest Community Leadership — Women, youths and elders protested against the President-General, Emmanuel Edirin, over alleged high-handedness, maladministration and abuse of power.
- Allegations of Illegal Development Levies — Protesters accused the community leadership of continuing to collect development levies despite Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s directive banning such charges.
- Claims of Illegal Land Sales — The protesters alleged that community lands, including parts of a sacred forest, were being sold illegally.
- Residents Allege Intimidation and Harassment — The community members accused the President-General of using a local security outfit, “Operation No Mercy,” to intimidate and harass residents.
- Electricity Disconnection Allegations — Protesters claimed some residents had their electricity disconnected after challenging the actions of the community leadership.
The protesters, who later paid a solidarity visit to the traditional ruler of the kingdom, HRM Okiuemute Igere I, commended the monarch for facilitating the release of nine community members who were recently arrested amid the lingering leadership crisis.
Addressing journalists at the palace gate, the women said the protest was necessitated by what they described as years of intimidation, harassment and alleged abuse of power by the community leader.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mrs. Paris Oghenetejiri and the Assistant APC Women Leader in the community, Mrs. Laureta Eshere, accused the President-General of illegally selling community lands, including portions of the community’s sacred forest, and using a local security outfit known as “Operation No Mercy” to intimidate residents.
They also alleged that several residents had their electricity disconnected after questioning the President-General’s actions, citing the cases of Mrs. Oghenetejiri’s family and APC stalwart, Mr. Henry Aruero.
The women further alleged that the community leadership continued collecting illegal development levies, popularly known as “DEVE,” despite Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s executive order prohibiting such collections.
Appealing to the governor to intervene, the protesters insisted their action was not politically motivated.
“We are solidly behind Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and support his administration. Our protest is against the leadership style of the President-General. We want peace, justice and development in our community,” they said.
Also speaking, community leader Hon. Peter Adjekpiyede said the rejection of the President-General stemmed from widespread dissatisfaction with his administration rather than politics.
According to him, residents had endured arbitrary sanctions, intimidation and alleged extortion under the present leadership.
He alleged that he was physically assaulted by the President-General during a disagreement and subsequently reported the matter to the Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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Adjekpiyede further claimed that residents were compelled to make payments before undertaking building projects or reconnecting electricity, while also alleging that the President-General attempted to influence the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise in the community.
“The rejection of the President-General was precipitated by his maladministration. It has no political undertones,” Adjekpiyede stated.
As of the time of filing this report, tension remained high in the community, with reports of arrests and heightened security presence.
However, when contacted, the President-General, Mr. Emmanuel Edirin, dismissed the allegations, maintaining that Hon. Adjekpiyede was sanctioned in line with the community’s constitution after allegedly committing an act considered an abomination against the community and its ancestral traditions.
He denied allegations of intimidation, assault, illegal levies and abuse of office, describing the claims as false and misleading.
