Trouble brews in Ekpan community, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State as the people of Udomoto quarters have called on the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRM Dr. Emannuel Sideso, Abe I, JP for cancellation of Udomoto quarters election over allegations of assault, disenfranchisement and intimidation of voters with military personnel, among others.
In the petition titled, “A CALL FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THE UDOMOTO QUARTER CHAIRMANSHIP ELECTION”, dated November 21, 2020 and signed by Mr Joseph Ekwesa, Joseph Ikuku, Victor Ujara, Alex Efevwobane Adjenughure and Mrs Patricia Osoro; the people called on the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom to cancel the election.
They accused the ‘Unuevworo’ of doing everything possible, including assault on 80-year old Pa Ovie Aboloje to enthrone Mr Gift Jegbamu whom he has been supporting.
The petitioners also alleged that supporters of Mr Victor Ujara whose father was a one-time ‘Okpako Re,Evo Ekpan’, were not only prevented from voting, but rather, outsiders who are not from Udumoto, but fall below the agreed voting age were allowed to vote; while the supporters of Mr Ujara were disenfranchised.
The group added that the Unuevworo allegedly threatened the life of Mr Ekwesa several times on phone conversations and also at the venue of the election – just because he was insisting that due process must be followed.
They alleged that the Unuevworo unilaterally brought soldiers to the venue of the election, which was contrary to the decisions reached at the meeting held on November 20, 2020 prior to the election. While declaring that they have the evidence to substantiate their claims, they stated that in as much they believe in the peace, progress and development of Uvwie, such peace must come with justice.
While calling on the Ovie of Uvwie for the” Outright cancellation of the election since a lot of eligible voters were prevented from voting to ensure justice”, they urged HRM to stop those parading themselves as winners of the election which they described as ‘charade’ from doing so in order to avert crisis.
They urged the Uvwie Monarch to call the Unuevworo to order and also order a fresh election without his (Unuevworo’s) input, but with the inclusion of the Ighwuvwie of Udumoto Quarter, as well as three persons from each zone – A, B, C, and two persons from Uwie.