The Odion Orode of Evwreni Kingdom, Major John Ovwufeti (Rtd.), has rejected the outcome of the recent peace meeting convened by the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, insisting that the disputes surrounding the Odion Orode stool and the Osu-Ehweya (Women Leader) are already before the courts and cannot be resolved through administrative pronouncements.
In a reaction made available to NewsNet Nigeria, Major Ovwufeti disputed claims arising from the July 30 peace meeting that recognised another claimant to the Odion Orode title, maintaining that he remains the legitimate holder of the traditional office pending the determination of the matter by the court.
According to him, the history of Evwreni Kingdom does not support claims that Unenurhie Community traditionally produces the Odion Orode.
“Historically, Evwreni has produced 16 Odion Orode, with me serving as the current and 16th Odion Orode of Evwreni Kingdom. The existence of Evwreni Clan dates back to 1499, with Okpawha as the first community founded. From that time to date, Unenurhie Community has never produced an Odion Orode of Evwreni Clan,” he stated.
Major Ovwufeti argued that Unenurhie Community has traditionally produced only its community Odion and not the Odion Orode of the entire kingdom.
He also faulted what he described as the purported settlement brokered by the council chairman, arguing that matters pending before a competent court cannot be validly resolved outside the judicial process.
“There was not, and there cannot be, a settlement over a matter that is before the court of law without listening to both parties. The case is still pending before the court, and only the court has the authority to determine the issues,” he said.
The retired military officer alleged that those behind the meeting may have misled the council chairman into believing the dispute could be settled administratively despite ongoing litigation.
He further maintained that Okpawha Community possesses the customary authority to appoint and remove the Osu-Ehweya, claiming that the community had already exercised that authority by removing the former holder and appointing another.
Major Ovwufeti questioned the involvement of APC chieftain Olorogun O’tega Emerhor in the matter, contending that, given the pending court cases, Emerhor ought to allow the judicial process to run its course rather than making public declarations on the dispute.
He also criticised Olorogun Egbo, a legal practitioner, for convening a meeting and announcing resolutions on issues that are the subject of ongoing litigation.
“As a lawyer, he ought to respect matters pending before the court instead of allowing himself to be used to create what amounts to an alternative forum on issues awaiting judicial determination,” he said.
Major Ovwufeti further levelled a series of allegations against Olorogun Emerhor relating to previous political and communal developments in Evwreni, including the handling of reconciliation efforts following the 2021 communal crisis and alleged political activities during the 2023 governorship election.
He, however, did not provide documentary evidence to support the allegations in his statement.
Reaffirming his position, the retired military officer said he would continue to recognise only the authority of the court in determining the traditional leadership dispute.
“I remain the Odion Orode of Evwreni Kingdom until the court says otherwise. As a former military officer, I will abide by the decision of the court and not any purported settlement by anyone,” he declared.
The reaction follows resolutions announced at the July 30 purported peace meeting convened by the Ughelli North Local Government Council, where stakeholders were not allowed to deliberate on the disputes surrounding the Osu-Ehweya and Odion Orode institutions in Evwreni Kingdom.
