By Felix Ekwu
Orhuwhorun and Igbogidi communities in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State have said that they only recognise the Comrade Efe Eberucharo-led leadership of Mofor motor park which lies in their communities.
Indigenes of both communities on Friday staged a peaceful protest at the park denouncing the leadership that was foisted by Comrade Elvis Kporoh, a non-native which triggered the crisis that rocked the park eight months ago.
Some of the placards carried by the protesters had inscriptions like, “the land on which the Mofor Motor Park exist belongs to Orhuworhun and Igbogidi, we are peace-loving people, we do not want more bloodshed” and “Com Elvis Kporoh is the problem in Udu L.G.A. Governor Sen Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa … Oga call him to order”.
The President-General of Igbogidi Community, Mr Ufuoma Edema and his Orhuwhorun Community counterpart, Chief Joseph Tefue, who spoke on behalf of the protesters urged the authorities of Udu Local Government to reinstate the Efe Eberucharo-led leadership of Mofor motor park since they have been found not culpable and peace has finally returned to the park.
Mr Edema and Chief Tefue told journalists that the government’s recognition of the Eberucharo-led leadership which was overthrown by Comrade Elvis Kporoh, who installed a kangaroo executive was paramount in ensuring lasting peace at the park.
They alleged that Comrade Kporoh is neither a native of Orhuwhorun community nor Igbogidi community wondering why a non-native will superintend over the Mofor motor park which according to them is not obtainable elsewhere, particularly in Udu Local Government Area.
While condemning the meddling in the affairs of the park by Comrade Kporoh, Mr Edema said, “The protest is as a result of the oppression we are facing from one Elvis Kporoh, who portrays himself as one of these union chairmen that we don’t know about.
“All the motor parks that are in Udu are being controlled by the communities and the indigenes of those communities. So, I see no reason why this particular should be an exception. I am talking of Mofor motor park.
“There was an existing leadership which was framed up for whatever reason I don’t know. They were arrested and during the course of investigation, nothing was found on them. So, originally they are supposed to come back and resume their duty.
“The legitimate leadership we know is that by Comrade Efe Eberucharo. That is the only leadership we recognise. We have already notified the local government chairman to do something and reinstate them so as to restore order in this place.
“We want them to come back and take over their position. We will remain resolute and we will continue to occupy this place until we have a peaceful resolution on this matter.”
For his part, the Orhuwhorun Community PG, Chief Tefue said, “It will be a thing of happiness to me if we can get this place back because we are the indigenes of this place. I have not seen any reason anywhere tenant collects money from landlord.”
Comrade Efe Eberucharo who narrated how he was dislodged as Chairman of the Mofor Motor Park eight months ago said that with the support of Orhuwhorun and Igbogidi communities where he hails from paternally and maternally respectively he has taken back his position.
According to him, he was overthrown on January 7, 2022, by Comrade Elvis Kporoh who swore him as Chairman of Mofor Motor Park on August 27, 2020, stressing that they will continue to occupy the park peacefully pending when the matter is fully resolved by the government.
