OKUNTU COMMUNITY CRY OUT, SAYS SPDC DEADLY CHEMICALS HAVE RAVAGED THEIR ONLY SOURCE OF LIVELIHOOD. ~ CREEK NEWS

By
Emmanuel Ken

  Okuntu Community in Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, has cried out loudly, lamenting the total and grave danger on the spread of the deadly and poisonous chemicals by the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has ravaged and destroyed their only source of livelihood, which is fishing.

  While speaking to Creek News, the Youth President of Okuntu Community, Comr. Itigbri Reyners , said Okuntu Community river is now a hotbed of floating fishes,as dead fishes are seen littered everywhere at the seashore.

  This is not good for the community and her people. Fishing is the only source of our livelihood, and now the water is polluted and contaminated.
Fishes just die at will, and become poisonous to eat. SPDC should immidiately cleanup the waters or face legal action for breaching environmental laws. Because this is a special way of keeping us into perpetual poverty, squalor and penury, and we will not take it, He said.

   However, he also warn everyone not to eat those fishes killed by the acidic chemicals, saying that it can led to one's untimely death, as the poisonous chemicals are harmful  to humans as well when taken.
    He hampered on the difference of the fish saying, when such fishes are smoked, they are different from the normal fish. The fishes that died through the acidic chemicals has white colour  when smoked. While the normal fish has brown colour when smoked(meaning the deadly chemical as drained all blood from the fish as there is no nutrient left in them ,which makes it unhealthy and harmful to humans).

 Also present with the Youth President at the time of filing this report was the Okuntu Youth Secretary General, Comr. Ologboro Ebimobowei

  However, Creek News learnt that, the spread of this dangerous acidic chemicals in the waters by the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, has gone viral and has kept many fish farmers to stay at home with no hope of feeding their families.

OYIF CONGRATULATE NEW NDDC Ag. M.D PROF. KEMEBRADIKUMO PONDEI, TASK HIM ON THE MYRIAD OF NDDC ABANDONED PROJECTS IN OGULAGHA COMMUNITY. ~CREEK NEWS

 Ogulagha Youth Initiative Forum OYIF,  congratulate the new Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei says his appointment is timely, impeccable and will bring developmental stride to the Niger Delta region within the shortest period of time.

 The group make this call after a brief meeting in Warri and a copy of it which was sent to Creek news sign by the duo of its President, Comr. Bright Guwor and Secretary, Comr. Keneware Joshua says “the face of the region will be lifted again ranging from the good antecedent and developmental driven historical background of Prof Pondei”.

OYIF task the new Acting Managing Director to address the myriads of abandoned NDDC internal road project rocking Ogulagha community.

The group states that Ogulagha community is a host to the famous Forcados Ogulagha oil Terminal FOT, Shell, Ship etc, and a major contributor of the liquid gold.
   Hence, abating abandon projects in the community does not tell well of the enormous resources being milked daily.

  They however, charge the new Acting Managing Director to visit those road projects, charge the contractors to commence work immediately and ensure their completion.

   Ogulagha community cannot be suffering from internal road when they are the golden hen that lays the golden egg to beautify the nation, they said.
     Other members of the group in the meeting who endorses it including Engr. Timi Temewei, Comr. Clifford Otogie, Comr. John Perekezigha, Comr. Jovita Temewei.

Delta task force beats activist to coma ~ CREEK NEWS

A human rights activist, Mr. Harrison Gwamnishi, says he narrowly escaped being killed by the task force of Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State for querying their illegal activities.

Gwamnishi, who is the Director-General of Behind Bars Rights Initiative, was reportedly ambushed along the Delta Broadcasting Station Road on Thursday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, and was allegedly dragged out of his car and reportedly beaten to a coma by members of the task force.

The victim’s phone with which he allegedly recorded the destruction of thousands of brick blocks at a block industry on the Benin-Asaba-Onitsha Expressway and his laptop were reportedly smashed on the tarred road.

Narrating his ordeal on Saturday to journalists, the activist lamented that the council chairman, Mr Uche Osadebe, approved of the action of the officials.

He said, “The 13 task force members pounced on me, tore my clothes, dragged out the other occupant in my car, snatched my laptop and beat me up. They said they acted on the order of the state governor.

“Even when I got to the GRA Police Station, the boys trailed me to the station and in front of the police, slapped me and tried to whisk me away, saying that the council chairman asked them to bring me.

“The police kept calm and refused to save me from the hands of the thugs. It took divine intervention for my life to be spared.

“When I called the commissioner for the environment, he said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa never asked anybody to destroy property.”

The activist noted that he had directed his lawyer to institute a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the council chairman.

The victim’s lawyer, Favour Ajuebor, said a petition against Osadebe had been submitted to the Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa, and a civil petition to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, including the state’s civil service commission and the House of Assembly.

“They attempted to kidnap my client to murder him. In our suit at the High Court, we emphasised chapter four of the constitution, as enshrined in the African Charter of Human Rights, because the action does not align with the smart agenda of prosperity of Governor Okowa,” the lawyer said.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Chris Onogba, dissociated the state government from the action of the task force men and maintained that Okowa would never support destruction of property or jungle justice.

The council chairman, Osadebe, in a text message, said, “Nothing of such.”

NSCDC vows to fish out oil theft sponsors ~ CREEK NEWS

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Rivers State Command, has vowed to fish out sponsors of illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalisation in the state.

The NSCDC state Commandant, Muktar Lawal, who spoke on Saturday after parading 13 suspected vandals in Port Harcourt, said it was necessary to get the sponsors of oil theft in order to eradicate the vice.

Lawal explained that investigation had begun to uncover the masterminds of the crimes and subsequently arrest them.

He called on residents of the state to desist from any act of economic sabotage.

“We are assuring you that we are going to get those who employed these suspects who have committed these dastardly acts and charge them to court.

“These arrests were made based on intelligence reports. Investigations are still going on and we are going to notify the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to come and verify whether these items belong to them or not,” Lawal added.

Apart from the 13 suspects that were apprehended by the command, 110 polythene bags filled with adulterated diesel, as well as six step-down electricity transformers and 13 drums of transformer oil, were recovered from the suspected vandals.

Lawal said, “On  January 30, 2020, an open-body pick-up van with number plate, Bayelsa XB 325 KMR, conveying suspected illegally refined AGO stacked in about 110 cellophane bags was apprehended with three suspects at Elele, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“On  February 5, 2020, around 02.45am, a long truck conveying unquantifiable amount of suspected petroleum product with number plate, Yobe TO 234 YB, and three suspects were arrested at Igbo-Etche, Etche LGA of Rivers State.

“On February 7, at about 12.24am, an enclosed long truck with number plate, Lagos APP 06 XF, loaded with suspected vandalised electric facilities was intercepted along D-Line GRA, Port Harcourt City LGA and seven suspects were arrested with 13 drums of suspected transformer oil, five step-down transformers, six 200KVA transformers, two rolls of suspected transformer cables, two bags containing suspected bolts and 48 suspected fiber ladders used for vandalism.”

He, however, maintained that all the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigation.

Supreme Court to hear APC’s request for Bayelsa judgment’s review Feb 26. ~CREEK NEWS

The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for this Wednesday (February 26) in the application by the All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking among others, a review of its February 13, 2020 judgment disqualifying the party’s candidate in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State, Lyon David Pereworimin.

Creek news learnt on Sunday that the Registry of the Supreme Court has communicated the date of hearing to parties.

It was however not clear on Sunday whether or not respondents to the APC’s application have filed their responses to the application.

In the application filed on February 20, 2020 by its team of lawyers led by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), the APC wants the Supreme Court to set aside some portions of its judgment.

They include where it “wrongly” held that the Federal High Court disqualified its governorship candidate along with its deputy governorship candidate; and where it held that joint ticket of its candidates was vitiated by the disqualification of the deputy governorship candidate and that both candidates are deemed not to be candidates in the election.

It is also the APC’s prayer that the Supreme Court sets aside the portion of the judgment where it ordered INEC to declare as winner of the governorship election, candidates with the highest number of lawful votes; and where it ordered INEC to withdrew the certificate of return issued to its governorship candidate and the issuance of fresh one to the candidate who had the highest number of lawful votes.

The APC argued that it was wrong for the Supreme Court to have voided its candidates’ participation in the election, because the judgment by the Federal High Court, which disqualified its deputy governorship candidate, was stayed as at when the election was conducted.

The APC also wants the Supreme Court to set aside the “wrong” interpretation given to its judgment of February 13, 2020 and the subsequent execution by the Independent National. electoral Commission (INEC).

It is APC’s contention, among others, that the Supreme Court, in its judgment, misinterpreted the November 12, 2019 judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja which it (the Supreme Court) affirmed.

The APC argued that the Supreme Court acted without jurisdiction and denied it (the party) fair hearing when it proceeded to disqualify its governorship candidate even though the Federal High Court, in the judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo, which the apex court affirmed, refused the plaintiffs’ prayer to disqualify Lyon.

The party also faulted the interpretation given to the Supreme Court judgment by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in deciding to issue certificate of return to the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC stated: “By an originating summons dated 12th September, 2019, in Suit NO: PHC/ABJ/CS/ 1101/2019 between Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) & 2 Ors. v. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo & 3 ors., the respondents approached the Federal High Court for a total of 10 reliefs.

In the judgment of the Federal High Court, per Ekwo J., delivered on 12th November. 2019, the said court granted only 6 (six) of the reliefs.

“In the drawn up order of the Federal High Court duly signed by the trial judge the 6 (six) reliefs granted are clearly encapsulated therein.

“In specific reference to the reliefs for the disqualification of the governorship candidate of the applicant (Lyon Dovid Pereworimin), the trial court refused to grant the plaintiffs’ prayers to disqualify him.

“It was only the Deputy Governorship candidate of the applicant (Biobarakuma Degl-Eremienyo) that the trial High Court made an order of disqualification against.

“Applicant and its governorship and deputy governorship candidates timeously appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court to the Court of Appeal, and also applied for a stay of execution of the said judgment pending appeal.

“By on order mode on 13th November 2019 in CA/A/1053/M/2019 between Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo & Anor v. Peoples Democratic Party & ors., the Court of Appeal. Abuja judicial division, stayed the execution of the judgment of the trial High Court delivered on 12th November, 2019.

“As at the time the governorship election in Bayelsa State was conducted on 16th November 2019 the order for stay of execution granted by the Court of Appeal was subsisting and there was no appeal against it.

“The judgment of the Court of Appeal was delivered on 23rd December, 2019 whereby the Court of Appeal set aside the decision of the trial High Court delivered on 12th November. 2019.

“There was no cross-appeal to the Court of Appeal against the decision of the trial High Court refusing to make an order disqualifying the governorship candidate of the applicant (Lyon Dovid Pereworimin).

“In the judgment of this honourable court delivered on 13th February, 2019 this honourable court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal and restored the decision of the trial High Court.

In the enrolled order of the judgment of the trial High Court, no disqualification order was mode against the applicant’s candidate (Lyon David Pereworimin), whether consequentially or otherwise.

“After reinstating the judgment of the trial court in the judgment of this honourable court of this 13th February, 2020, in SC.1/2020 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) & 2 Ors. v. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo & 3 ors., this honourable court proceeded to disqualify the governorship candidate of the applicant (Lyon David Pereworimin) despite the fact that the trial High Court refused to grant the reliefs for his disqualification and there was no appeal against same.

“In this honourable court’s judgment of 13th February, 2020, the court erroneously and inadvertently stated that the trial High Court consequentially disqualified the applicant‘s governorship candidate even though the trial court mode no such order and when the trial court indeed refused to grant the express orders sought by the plaintiffs therein for his disqualification.

“This honourable court acted without jurisdiction by holding as in (xiii) and (xiv). supra (as contained in the two paragraphs above) and also breached applicant’s right to fair hearing.

“With respect, the portions of the judgment of this honourable court highlighted in the body of this application constitute a nullity.

“With respect, the decision of this honourable court of 13th February, 2020, in SC.1/ 2020 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) & 2 ors. v. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo & 3 ors., was premised on and vitiated by a fundamental error.

“With respect the decision of this honourable court of this 13th February, 2020, in SC. 1/ 2020 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) & 2 ors. v. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo & 3 ors., is contrary to public policy.

“By a press statement made on 14th February, 2020, the Chairman of the 4th (INEC) respondent purported to interpret the judgment of this Honourable Court of 13th February, 2020 in SC.1/2020 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) & 2 ors. v. Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo 8. 3 ors.

“In the said press statement, the 4th respondent reviewed the judgment of this honourable court, gave it a different interpretation and come to a wrong conclusion. thus declaring the 2nd and 3rd respondents as the Governor and Deputy Governor elect of Bayelsa State, respectively.”

Okowa preach progressive Nigeria at DSP Thanksgiving in Warri. CREEK NEWS

The city of Warri go agog as dignitaries storm Warri for the deputy Senate President thanksgiving. 

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan and Governor of Delta, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Sunday, called for concerted efforts by Nigeria to make the country more progressive. 

They spoke at the Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church, Effurun, during a thanksgiving service by Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Collectively Nigerian will be better and great they spoke.

Specifically, Osinbajo said, “with the steadfastness in the Senate, we will get it right in the country.

“Omo-Agege is committed and we thank God that we are here with our brother to celebrate.”

Senate President, Lawan, while lauding Omo-Agege for his “courage”, said, “as a diverse people with different ethnic and religious backgrounds, we should work together to make Nigeria better.”

On his part, Okowa said that there was a lot of work to be done and stressed that while Nigerians should be committed to serving God, they should also be committed to serving the nation.

“Today is a big day not just for you, Senator Omo-Agege, but for the people of Delta Central and the entire state.

“Whatever you are was made possible by God and we thank you for remembering to appreciate God because it is never late to give thanks to God.

“There is a lot of work to be done in our state and the country; we should render service to God and mankind.

“I urge Deltans in the National Assembly to bring the much you can to Delta even as you work for our nation for it to be progressive,” he said.

Earlier in n his sermon, Very Rev. Fr. Mario Ozele, had said that Jesus required His followers to forgive those who wronged them.

According to him, Jesus requires his followers to be different from the people of the world.

Ozele urged Omo-Agege to forgive those who had abused him or offended him, saying “love them and pray for them to change positively.

“Love your enemies and pray for your persecutors; hatred kills and Nigeria is becoming a killing field due to anger and hatred.

“The early signs of genocide is in the air; Nigeria is weighed down by poverty and corruption; the value of life in Nigeria is at all time low but God has plans for Nigeria.

“Nigeria will rise; there is hope because, those that trust in the Lord will never be put to shame.

“He has the power to deliver us; we should stand up for Jesus and stand up for Nigeria,” he said.

In a brief speech, Omo-Agege thanked all those who contributed in different ways to his return to the Senate, disclosing that the thankgiving was necessary “because, it was God that made the success stories possible”.

AMASEIKUMOR FESTIVAL 2020 THE CLEANSING OF IJAW LAND

CREEK NEWS 

Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, is set to celebrate one of their aged-long traditions.

Heralding the coming festival, the Toibenemowei of Gbaramatu kingdom, Chief Joel Gbanale disclosed to creek news  that the event would hold on Friday March 27, elapsing on Friday, April 3.

The event is annually celebrated for seven days. One of its merits is that, the natives said, it helps to cleanse the land and purify Ijaw sons and daughters.

The venue for the event is expected to be at the Pere Palace Pavilion in Oporoza Town, Gbaramatu Kingdom. During the festivity, each day would be expected to have different interesting activities. 

From past festivals, it was noted that it features cultural dance and different masquerades. The festival is the dreaded Amaseikumor. 

The revered Amaseikumor, according to those who know better, implies good living, peace, unity, prosperity and protection to the people of the communities in Gbaramatu. 

Amaseikumor is an ancient deity usually celebrated by the entire Gbaramatu communities in accordance with laid down rules and regulations, associated with it. 

The Amaseikumor is a combination of several masquerades from different communities in the kingdom; each of the communities is given opportunity to display skills of her masquerade. 

It was gathered that after the celebration, people are protected from premature death, accident, ill-health and strange diseases, etc. It is a standpoint and a symbol of unity that offer the entire people of Gbaramatu the opportunity to gather and unite as one during and after the festival.

IPDI Calls For Sanction On SPDC Over Spread Of Deadly Chemicals On Ogulagha Kingdom Waters

Creek News
22nd February, 2020

WARRI--

An Ijaw Right group known as the Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI, has called for sanction on Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, over unlawful discharge and spread of life threatening acidic chemicals on Ogulagha Kingdom waters which had led to the death of many aquatic lives.

The group in a statement by its national president Comrade Ozobo Austin and acting secretary Comrade Emma Keneware, of which a copy was made available to creek news, said the unlawful discharge and spread of the deadly acidic chemicals on the water bodies had contaminated the water and had killed many aquatic lives particularly fishes.

The activists, added that for fear of eating poisonous fishes , people no longer go to fishing as the entire rivers had be polluted and that the locals are now being starved.

The group averred that the criminal discharge of deadly acidic chemicals to the water was blatantly against the environmental laws of the Federation and that attracts stiff penalty of imprisonment.

They also decried the environmental injustice meted on the people of Ogulagha Kingdom for contaminating and polluting their only source of livelihood. Thereby, exposing them to poverty, squalor and penury. "This is total wickedness and daylight witchcraft" the duo asserted.

They called on the government to bring the perpetrators to book and adequately compensate the people for willful impoverishment. "Says enough is enough for the endless injustice on the Ijaw nation"

NYSC Fake Certificate: Fresh Petition Hits Tribunal Against Bayelsa Deputy Gov over provision of false information to INEC

BREAKING: Bayelsa guber candidate files petition seeking to disqualify PDP Deputy Governor on grounds of providing false information to INEC

Very young Bayelsans drag PDP’s Deputy Governor to the Election Tribunal over false information given by Sen. Lawrence, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, with respect to his fake NYSC certificate.

One of the young Bayelsans is a Governorship candidate. Two of the lawyers in the team are very young Bayelsa lawyers as well. 

According to one of the lawyers; “Some say it is Statute barred, others say it’s abuse of Court process, but don’t worry, there are many things about the law too deep to understand. Only the smart plays the chess very well”

“Remember I say that the Deputy Governor may have Immunity, but there is another way to nail him!!”

“Just watch out for the political space!! Debekeme Powedei Vijah Inowei Eldred Opuama Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine”

INEC Declares Two Bayelsa Senatorial Seats Vacant …Set to Determine Date For Senatorial Bye-Elections. CREEK NEWS

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it will soon meet to determine the date for the conduct of bye-elections to fill the vacancies in Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, dropped the hint on Friday in Abuja, at the Resident Electoral Commissioners’ (RECs) first regular meeting for the year 2020.

The two seats became vacant following the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Sen. Douye Diri and his deputy, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as winner of the state governorship election.

Yakubu said: “In compliance with the orders of the Supreme Court, the Commission has presented Certificates of Return in respect of the Governorship elections in Imo and Bayelsa States.

“In the case of Bayelsa State, both the governor and deputy governor were serving senators.

“Consequently, the Commission had on Thursday, Feb. 20, received two communications from the Senate President declaring the seats for Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial Districts vacant.

“The Commission will soon meet to determine the dates for bye-elections in the two Senatorial Districts.”

The INEC boss added that ahead of the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections, scheduled for Sept. 19 and Oct. 10, respectively, critical changes would be introduced to strengthen electoral processes and procedures.

“Similarly, the Commission, jointly with the security agencies, is reviewing deployment during elections.

“Already, the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) has set up a Committee in this respect. The inaugural meeting of the Committee is holding on Wednesday next week.’’

Yakubu noted that given recent experience with some governorship elections, political parties needed to do more to avoid the conduct of acrimonious primaries.

He also urged political parties to observe due diligence in the screening of their candidates, to avoid protracted litigations and eventual determination of the outcome of elections by orders of court.

He reminded parties that the conduct of primaries for the governorship election in Edo State must be held between June 2, and June 27, while that of Ondo should hold from July 2 to July 25.

“The Commission will not extend the dates. We will also rigorously monitor the primaries and where necessary, apply sanctions as provided by law.

“At the same time, the personal particulars of all the candidates nominated by political parties for the Edo and Ondo Governorship elections, including their academic qualifications, will be displayed in our offices in the two States as required by law.

“This will enable citizens to scrutinise them and take legal action against any candidate who provides false information to the Commission.

“The personal particulars of candidates will be displayed on July 6 in Edo and on Aug. 4 in Ondo State.

“I wish to appeal to citizens to note the dates and to also seize the opportunity to scrutinise the information provided on oath by the candidates in the interest of our democracy and good governance.”

Yakubu also disclosed that the period for the conduct of party primaries and nomination of candidates had elapsed for four bye-elections to hold simultaneously on March 14 in four states.

The bye-elections are for Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency in Niger, Babura/Garki Federal Constituency in Jigawa, Patigi State Constituency in Kwara and Kebbe State Constituency in Sokoto State.

“Four political parties have nominated candidates for the Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency, three parties for Babura/Garki Federal Constituency, six parties for Patigi State Constituency and seven parties for Kebbe State Constituency.”

Yakubu who said that elections were now an all-year round activity for INEC, disclosed that in 2020 alone, INEC had conducted elections into 28 constituencies by court order while four bye-elections would be held in the next three weeks.

“As I said earlier, vacancies were declared in two Senatorial Districts yesterday. We are also awaiting declarations of vacancies for two more Senatorial Districts.

“While we are conducting these elections, we must also continue to proactively and progressively work for the improvement of the electoral process.” NAN

JUST IN: OKYC PRESS RELEASE ON THE PURPORTED ELECTION OF TWO NEW NATIONAL LEADERS.

09-02-2020
High Chief Seikam
Warri.
Just in:


RE: Ogulagha Kingdom Youth Council  Press Release on the purported election of two new national leaders of the Council.

The attention of the leadership of the OKYC has been drawn to a recent malicious and misleading publication accredited to Mr Anthony Waterwei and Torke Denyefa. They are the President and Secretary respectively of Ogulagha Community Youth Association in respect to a purported election conducted to replace the present Ogulagha Youth Council leadership led by Hon.Timiadi Justice Akuna as against the constitutional provisions and six (6) uninterrupted years rotational agreement reached by all zones, which the other two past administrations had enjoyed.

 The publication is an unconstitutional and failed ploy to disrupt the temporal peace enjoyed by the people of Ogulagha Community owing to the fact that we have just survived a nightmare as a people.

First, our system is well structured, defined and democratically guided by a constitution. That is the Ogulagha Kingdom Youth Council Constitution of 2014.

For clarity, there is an "ongoing circle" that grants automatic two term of 3 years. That is a total of  six 6 years arrangement for each office holder. This arrangement started with the two previous administrations led by its former presidents from the Sokebolou/Yokiri axis and other  from the Obotobo 1& 2 zone. It was agreed in the Constitution that the "ongoing circle" would end with this present administration led by Hon.Timiadi Akuna from the Ogulagha/Youbebe zone after completing an uninterrupted 6 year-stretch.

This arrangement was stipulated in the OKYC constitution of 2014. Section 13:13.2- on Duration of office which states that "No automatic second term in the same office after completing the ongoing circle".
Also, in the same Constitution, Article Seven-Section 1 & 3 - defines the election process  which also saddles the general meeting the responsibility of setting up a central electoral body whose primary responsibility is to oversee and conduct elections in conjunction with the zonal youth leadership  after the "ongoing circle" is completed in 2023.

The purported election reported in Egbema Voice was outrightly denied by Counsel to Mr Anthony Water -President Ogulagha Community Youth president before the presiding Judge Honourable Justice J. A. Edun at the last day of hearing on  February 5, 2020. The next date: February 26. The Case number: HCB/21/2019 wherein Parties are Hon Justice Timiadi  Akuna vs Mr. Waterwei Anthony  & Anor of the Bomadi High court in Delta State. As civilised people with a very high  respect for the rule of law, we wouldn't want to take the laws into our hands but rather seek for clear interpretation in accordance with our constitution of 2014 OKYC guiding us as a people.

Further, in the above mentioned case, there is a motion for interlocutory injunction pending, seeking to restraint Mr. Waterwei Anthony Okilo & his  cohort from doing what they claim to have done. They have been aware of the motion since January 9, 2020. They have filed their responses, but they could not wait for the Honourable Court to decide before they acted on the same issue that is before the court. By their actions, they deliberately want to create anarchy and make reasonable people in the society look at the Youths of Ogulagha community as lawless and unguided. But, we the youths of Ogulagha Kingdom would not act in a way that would be interpreted to mean that we have no respect for the courts of this Nation, especially a high court of Justice.
 
Hence, the general public should disregard any news of any election that was allegedly held to prejudge the decision of a high court of justice, which court is seeking to interpret the OKYC, 2014.

On February 27, 2017, the tenure of office of all the Executive officers of Hon Timiadi Justice Akuna-led administration was published as a 6-year tenure. It was published in the Vanguard newspaper. Mr. Waterwei Anthony Okilo and his cohort were aware of that publication. It's also worthy to note that the Hon.Justice Timiadi Akuna led OKYC tenure will elapse in 2023 which is in line with the six (6) years rotational agreement reached by all zones which his predissesors also enjoyed from the other zones of the kingdom.




Sign:
Comr Doubra Oketete
Chairman
OKYC media committee

Hon Roland Dede
Secretary
OKYC media committee