By: Our Correspondent
Okere Community youths in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State Thursday December 1, 2022 staged a peaceful protest to the palace of the Olu of Warri Kingdom,His Imperial Majesty. Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, saying hoodlums are trying to frustrate the electoral process into the youth body of the organization.
The youths chanted solidarity songs and matched from Okere Community to the palace of the revered monarch.
The youths also beard placards with inscriptions such as,”if you nor qualify, you nor qualify”, “if you’re disqualified by the electoral body, you stand disqualified”, “the decision taken by the electoral body must prevail”, “The Ogieboro in Council led by Chief. E F. Esisi is the highest decision making body of Okere Community”, “Okere Community youth body get constitution”, “if you’re not a youth, stay away from Okere youth politics. You are our problem” and Omo-Ologbo youth Association of Okere is strictly for youths from age 18-40″.
The youths also accused a group of allegedly trying to cause crisis within the community over the youth body’s election with a call for the reinstatement of persons who have been disqualified from the election contests.
The youths insisted that those disqualified remain disqualified by the electoral committee.
They noted that the Ogieboro Chief E.F. Esisi has suspended activities to the elections.
The youths added that they will abide by the decision of the Ogieboro of Okere Community,Chief E.F. Esisi and the elders Council of the Okere Community.
They warned that they will not tolerate any disrespect for the instructions of the Ogieboro.
In a chat with newsmen, the current Chairman of Okere Community, Comrade Lucky Ogbolomo disclosed that the Ogieboro has suspended the activities for the conduct of elections into the youth body of Okere Community.
“The Ogieboro has suspended the process. Until he comes, whatever he says, we all abide to it.”
He warned that,”no nobody have the right to compel him to do otherwise”
Ogbolomo whose tenure comes to an end by January 10,2023 noted that he is not seeking for tenure elongation or reelection into office. “I never begged for an extension not even for one day.”
He accused a group identified as “Concerned Okere Indigenes” of attempting to frustrate the electoral process as well as cause problems within the youth body of Okere Community.
He said they petitioned his leadership before the Warri South Council Chairman, Dr. Michael Tidi and the Nigeria Police Force,NPF, Warri Area Command alleging that he was trying to cause chaos in the Community just as they threatened the electoral committee that there will be a “heavy violence” if they go ahead to conduct the election.
While noting that the Community’s Shrine is its constitution, Ogbolomo said it only accommodate persons within the ages of 18 to 40years of age. According to him,”only these persons can cast their votes and be voted for.”
“The reason we are here is to make our stance clear to our prestigious King,Ogiame, the only respected King worldwide.”
In a response,the Olu of Warri Kingdom,HM. Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR enjoined the Okere Community Youths to try to continue to maintain the peace in the Community with an assurance that the matter will be resolved amicably in no distant time.
The youths were received at the palace by Chief Eugene Ikomi and Chief Johnson Atseruleghe, the Iyasere of Warri Kingdom on behalf of the Olu of Warri who told them the decision of the Ogieboro was put there as the leader of the Community and whatever decisions he takes is the decision of the revered King, the Olu of Warri Kingdom.
The Secretary of the Okere Community Youth, Comrade Besidone Jonathan Eko and Ebona Tuoyo were amongst the peaceful protesters at the palace.
