By Onome Oghenetega
The relative peace in Ekpan community in Uvwie, Delta State, is being threatened over an alleged attempt by the outgoing community chairman, Mr. Victory Nanakparoh, to elongate the tenure of his executives in breach of the constitution of the Ekpan Community Development Committee (EDC).
It was gathered that the rumour, which was already raising tension in the community, is capable of throwing the fragile peace in the community into another round of crisis.
The purported tenure elongation was central allegation levelled against the Nankparoh-led EDC when a group of concerned leaders of the other quarters in Ekpan protested to the Edjeba premises of the Delta Broadcasting Service (DBS), Warri.
They claimed that action, aside capable sparking fresh crisis, would also violate the spirit and letter of the EDC constitution which they sworn to upheld and factionalised the community along the various ruling quarters.
The protesting concerned leaders under the Ekpan Stakeholders Group led by Hon. Matthew Emewakeme , Madam Edorke Egbawia and Matthew Edejewhro, called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, His Royal Majesty (Dr.)Emmanuel Ekemejewa Sideso, Abe I (OON) and Uvwie Council chairman, Chief Anthony Ofoni, to quickly intervene.
They stated that the matter was already threatening the fragile peace in Ekpan community, and urged the relevant authorities to nip the looming crisis before it escalates.
According to them, the EDC constitution enacted by the Delta State Security Council under the tenure of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, provides for one tenure leadership, rotated among the nine quarters of Ekpan, to ensure equity, justice, peace and stability.
They said since the faithful implementation of that constitution, the leadership of the Ekpan community has transited peaceful without the history of violence associated with change of leaders in the community.
The Ekpan Stakeholders Group wondered why three months to the end of the tenure of the current EDC Chairman, some chiefs in Ekpan in alliance with some government officials, have allegedly granted Nanakparoh-led EDC a second term in violation of Ekpan community constitution.
The group appealed, especially to the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom to wade into the issues, noting that Ekpan has known peace since his reign because of his fatherly wisdom in handling community conflicts.
Ekpan, notoriously known for crisis in the past, is one of Delta’s major host communities to oil facilities, including the Warri Petrochemical and Refining Company (WRPC), Nigeria Gas Company, Chevron Nigeria Limited and many others.
Meanwhile, Ekpan Development Committee chairman, Nanakparoh, has described the protest as ill-timed and capable of undermining the peace and unity that the community has worked hard to sustain.
