The executive council of Evwreni Clan Improvement Union (ECIU) in Delta State has reassured all Evwreni indigenes and government of its resolve and commitment to ensuring that justice and sustainable peace return to the kingdom through an unbiased implementation of the Delta State Government White Paper on the crisis.
This is contained in a communique issued after an Executive Council meeting of the Union which was held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society located at 8, Edoge Street, Ughelli, Delta State.
The primary purpose of the meeting was to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis in Evwreni kingdom through the implementation of the State Government White Paper, starting with the conduct of elections of new national officers for the ECIU.
The meeting comprised all serving branch presidents and secretaries of the Union nationwide was called as a follow-up of an earlier meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs Oghenekevwe Agas, held in her office on the 1st August 2023 with respect to the implementation of the Delta State Government White Paper as it affects the conduct of fresh elections into the national executive committee (NEC) of the Evwreni Clan Improvement Union.
In attendance were presidents and secretaries of all branches of the Union and other critical stakeholders of Evwreni kingdom including traditional rulers and title holders of the kingdom as well as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) ‘A’ Division in Ughelli, CSP Esangenyi Ibok.
Also invited but absent at the meeting were the Chairman of the alleged Illegal Caretaker Committee, Evwreni, Chief Emmanuel Gegere and the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Chief Godwin Adode.
The communique dated 15th August 2023, and addressed to the Secretary to the Delta State Government copied Delta State Attorney General Ministry of Justice and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development.
In it, the Council applauded the efforts of the Delta State Government on its neutrality in the crisis and equally commended the office of the Secretary to the State Government and that of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice for their insistence in the implementation of the White Paper.
According to the communique, “However, the Council frowns at the conduct and behaviour of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas, in giving unilateral approval to the king to allegedly set up an illegal caretaker committee and further approval for the illegal caretaker committee to amend the ECIU constitution and conduct an election within only three home branches of ECIU as against a total of eighteen branches nationwide.
“Council advises the permanent secretary to desist from acts capable of breaching the provisions of the Government White Paper and igniting a fresh crisis in Evwreni kingdom.
“Council lauds the courage of Hon. Emuobosa Ohare Victor (a former president general of the ECIU) who was used to inaugurate the so-called illegal caretaker committee, for openly owning-up and/or confessing that the caretaker committee he inaugurated was not only illegal but had thrown the kingdom into more problems and confusions.
“His appeal that nobody should recognize the illegal caretaker committee was applauded by the Council. Council equally accepts his plea for forgiveness, which according to him he had regretted his unpopular action which was intentionally meant to please the king at the time.
“Council admonishes people to exhibit such spirit of repentance, courage, and openness, noting that such virtues are capable of healing wounds than rationalization, non-repentance and manipulations.”
The Council after due consideration arrived at the following resolutions:
1. Election: Council observes that because of the vacuum created by the recommendation of the White Paper and the need to conduct fresh elections, reaffirms the appointment of the seven-member Election Committee to chat a road map with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development to conduct fresh elections into the elective positions of the ECIU.
2. Court Cases: Council equally resolves that the Presidents of Lagos, Benin and Ogor Branches liaise with appropriate persons and institutions to review all pending/ongoing court cases and report back to the Council as soon as possible.
3. Victims of the Crisis: Council commiserates with all the victims of the crisis, especially those who lost their loved ones and properties. Council directs five executive members to visit the affected families and persons.
