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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Okoere Urhobo elsers kick against Warri South Council chairman,

Elders of Okere Urhobo Kingdom, Warri South Local Government Area, Delta State, have drag Chairman Warri South Local Government Council Dr. Micheal Tidi before a Warri High Court and accused him of “undue meddling in the internal affairs of Okere Urhobo Development Movement by hijacking the process, conducting/supervising and or directing appointment into Executive offices of the Movement.”

The elders also expressed disgust that his action is at variance and in total defiance of the decisions reached by the report of the committee set up by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and headed by Chief Edwin Uzor, Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolutions.

They alleged that it was Chief Emmanuel Okumagba who for his personal and political interest that brought Dr Tidi into the affairs of the Kingdom and connive with him to appoint Okumagba and five other youths as interim executive thereby forming a parallel youth executive.

They explained that their actions led to total breakdown of law and order which security agents are battling to control for the past one month.

They added that the “parallel youth body set up by Dr Michael Tidi to run the affairs of Okere Urhobo Development Movement is against the consent and authority of the Elders of the Kingdom, despite the fact that the tenure of the present executive expires on August 2021.”

In a Suit No.W/ 117 dated 22, September, 2020, in the High Court Warri by Apostle Isaac A. M. Eraivor, Emu Aghogho Eburu and Chief Gideon Okumagba for on behalf of themselves, the Heads of the Five ruling families of Okere Urhobo Kingdom and the executives of Okere Urhobo Development Movement as claimants and Dr. Michael Tidi, Warri South Local Government Council as defendants respectively they are seeking eight reliefs from the court.

Their lawyer, B.N Okpuzor in the reliefs sought noted “that the defendants, Dr Michael Tidi and Warri South Local Government Council have no power, right, authority to meddle in the local/ internal affairs of the Okere Urhobo Community in running or management of Okere Urhobo Development Movement.

“And that Chief Emmanuel Okumagba was not nominated nor chosen as the leader or supervisor, of any Interim Committee of Okere Urhobo Development Movement.

“That Dr Tidi and Warri South Local Government Council actions are tantamount to interfering with the mandate of the existing executives of Okere Urhobo Development Movement.

“That the attempt by the defendants to appoint Chief Emmanuel Okumagba as the Head of an Interim Youth Committee is against the consent, authority or approval of Elders of the five families that made up the Kingdom, therefore, their action is null and void.”

They also asked for a declaration that “neither the defendants nor anyone can organise election into the offices of Okere Urhobo Development Movement until the tenure of the current executives expires on August 2021.
“An injunction restraining Dr Tidi, his agent from organising election, selection,or appointing into offices of Okere Urhobo Development Movement.
“An injunction restraining Dr Tidi from setting up, or supporting parallel executives of Okere Urhobo Development Movement different from the legal body that is currently existing.”

As at the time of filling this report no date has been fixed for hearing of the case.

They noted sadly that Tidi’s actions runs counter to decision of Delta State Government which has already put to rest all lingering leadership crisis in the Kingdom, as recommended by the Chief Edwin Uzor, Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolutions Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State Committee Report.
* Source: https://advocate.ng/2020/10/okere-urhobo-elders-drags-tidi-to-court-over-undue-interference/