Burutu Council Chairman Takeme Resolves Leadership Conflict in Delta Community
By Ezekiel Kagbala
The Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area in Delta State, Hon. Dr. Chief Julius Takeme, has resolved the leadership crisis that recently split Tuomo community into two opposing factions.
The council boss restored peace to Tuomo on Monday when he led a peace mission to the coastal community where he held a town hall meeting with the entire Tuomo people and addressed the root cause of the crisis.
FocalPoint Reports gathered that;
Tuomo, which is the traditional headquarters of Tuomo Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, has been embroiled in a leadership dispute since January 2025, with two groups laying claim to the Amanana-owei stool and the position of community chairman.
Chief Ebikapaye Agidee, was allegedly elected by residents of Akerebunou Quarters by the community’s zoning arrangement and he was sworn in by the oldest man in Tuomo, Pa Stephen Kuro-akigha Waide. However, the crisis started as the election did not reflect the participation of entire Tuomo people in accordance with their constitution.
The Burutu council Chairman, Takeme, reviewed the process, and observed that the process did not reflect the general acceptance of Tuomo people and it was unconstitutional. Another election was conducted under the supervision of the LGA where Hon. Arebebe Ebiemi emerged winner, thereby leading to a protest at the community waterfront with protesters calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently intervene in the ongoing leadership tussle to avert a full-blown crisis.
Takeme who took the initiative for peace, urged Tuomo people to embrace peace and unity, stating that: "We must come together, set aside our differences, and work towards a common goal that benefits everyone in Tuomo. The State Governor, RT. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori wants every community in the State to shun conflict and work together in unity, development can only thrive in a peaceful environment".
The council chairman officially recognized Hon. Arebebe Ebiemi as the newly elected Amanana-Owei of Tuomo, encouraging the people of Tuomo to support him in attracting development to the community.
"We are aware of the crisis in Tuomo and have acted swiftly to maintain peace; it is our hope that this peace endures. It is impressive that the people are thanking the state Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for his proactive measures. This shows that all in Tuomo have agreed to work together, and this peace will be sustained.
"We urge all those fermenting trouble to come to their senses quickly and join hands to permanently make peace. The community voted for those elected and it was an election that was done transparently. Arebebe Ebiemi is the duly elected Amanana-Owei (Community Highness) of Tuomo community", he stated.
Takeme in a show of gratitude, commended the Nigeria Police for their professionalism during the crisis. "We appreciate the men of the Nigeria Police for their high level of professionalism in handling the situation without resorting to maximum force to maintain order.
"We urge all those fermenting trouble to come to their senses quickly and join hands to permanently make peace," he added.
Commending the council boss, Arebebe Ebiemi noted, "If the chairman had not waded into the crisis, the situation in Tuomo would have degenerated into a full-blown crisis. Thank you, our honourable chairman, and thanks to the Nigerian police and most especially, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
