… It’s A Lie – Oniyesan
BEVERLY HILLS, July 19, (THEWILL) – The struggle over who becomes the new representative of the Omadino community, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, in the Chevron-sponsored Itsekiri Regional Development Council (IRDC) may snowball into a full-blown crisis if not handled properly.
The IRDC was initiated by Chevron as part of its Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) to develop its host communities.
Sources in the community said trouble started after the incumbent representative, Mr. Austine Oniyesan, allegedly refused to relinquish the position to a fresh nominee, one Dr. Robinson Eyekosi-Uwatse, said to have been nominated by the community after expiration of Oniyesan nine- year tenure.
A new dimension was introduced to the crisis when Eyekosi-Uwatse, weekend, raised the alarm over alleged threat to his life, claiming that Oniyesan who has allegedly refused to relinquish power having stayed in office for nine years, has been after him.
Eyekosi-Uwatse claimed that having being nominated by the council of elders of Omadino community to replace Oniyesan who in 2006 was also nominated by the council of elders for the same position, it was incumbent on the latter to vacate the position peacefully.
He noted that according to the constitution guiding the IRDC, there is no room for any executive to be returned either by election or selection, hence the nomination of a new executive to represent the community in the IRDC.
But responding to the allegations, Oniyesan, while calling for calm among parties interested in the position, said: “Having served in the council for nine years, we know that our tenure has expired, everyone should remain calm till IRDC writes to the community to tell them that the tenure of its executives on the council has expired after which new representatives are inaugurated and we leave office.
“As for the allegation of threat to life, I do not threaten people, besides, I am a leader in my community hence I see no reason to threaten my subjects.”
