Orogho Leadership Dispute Deepens As Elders Reject Allegations Against Enogie, Challenge Imaru, Osemekha

by Our Correspondent

OROGHO: The leadership dispute in Orogho Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, has deepened, with the Council of Elders rejecting allegations against the Enogie of the Dukedom, Prince Patrick Osayanede Akenzua and challenging the authority of two indigenes to speak on behalf of the community.

The fresh 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 Orogho through proxies.

Imaru was also reported to have raised concerns about the management of community funds.

But the Council of Elders, through its spokesperson, Mr Aguebor Ebo, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, insisting that the Enogie had remained involved in the affairs and activities of the community.

Ebo, who spoke recently at a meeting of the Council of Elders in Orogho, said the Enogie had consistently participated in the community’s festivals and other major activities, contrary to claims allegedly made by some aggrieved members.

The community’s Secretary, Mr Ikponmwonsa Osayomore, also challenged the authority of Imaru and Mr Stanley Osemekha to speak or act on behalf of Orogho Community.

Osayomore acknowledged that both men were indigenes of the community but said they had no mandate from the recognized leadership structure to issue statements or take positions on behalf of the entire community.

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 remained the community’s working document and contained guidelines for the nomination of members of the Orogho Community Council of Representatives.

He alleged that the disagreement became more pronounced after nominees from the quarter of the two men were not included in the Council of Representatives during the last nomination exercise.

The development, he claimed, subsequently led to challenges against the existing leadership structure, with the potential to create tension within the community.

Osayomore also made counter-allegations concerning Imaru’s activities as a member of the Orogho Community Board of Trustees, particularly over the management and utilization of funds associated with host-community development projects.

He alleged that equipment of borehole previously sunk by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was refurbished and subsequently presented as a new community development project.

The community secretary called for clarification on the source, purpose and utilization of funds allegedly linked to the project.

He also questioned Imaru’s contribution to the development of Orogho during his years in public service, asking what tangible projects and employment opportunities he had attracted to the community.

The allegations and counter-allegations could not be independently verified.

The Council of Elders, however, said its position was not intended to suppress dissent, but to protect Orogho’s established leadership structure and prevent competing claims of representation.

Osayomore maintained that anyone seeking to speak or act on behalf of the community should first obtain the mandate of its recognized leadership.

The Council urged all parties to resolve their differences through the appropriate internal mechanisms, stressing that the peace, unity and development of Orogho should remain the overriding concern.