Odidi Stakeholders Affirm Preye Okrikpa as Chairman, Commend IYC Action Over OML 42 Oil Spill

By Ezekiel Kagbala

WARRI, Delta State — Stakeholders of Odidi Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have reaffirmed Prince Preye Okrikpa as the Executive Chairman of Odidi Community, declaring that the leadership dispute involving a parallel executive remains before the High Court of Justice, Warri.

This came as the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) recently occupied a Heritage Oil facility in Delta State to demand immediate environmental cleanup and justice regarding a prolonged crude oil spill in the Odidi Federated Community.

The stakeholders also cautioned media organisations, government agencies, oil companies and other institutions against presenting members of the disputed parallel executive as the established leadership of the community while the matter remains unresolved in court.

The clarification was contained in a statement signed by Clement Numah, Secretary, Odidi Community; Oyateide Joseph Hitler, Odidi Community Youth President; and Mrs Nancy Ikpidi, Women Leader, Odidi Community, and made available to FocalPoint Reports in Warri during the weekend.

According to the stakeholders, Prince Preye Okrikpa remains the Executive Chairman of Odidi Community pursuant to the community's internal processes, stressing that no final judicial determination has displaced his position.

They noted that the emergence of a parallel executive led by Mr Truston Gbenekama is currently the subject of litigation before the High Court of Justice, Warri, in Suit No. W/102/2026.

The stakeholders said the pending litigation makes it inappropriate for any individual or group involved in the dispute to be presented publicly as the finally established leadership of Odidi Community.

They further stated that the court had cautioned the parties regarding the maintenance of the status quo pending determination of the case.

‘Do Not Use Oil Spill to Create Leadership Recognition’

The stakeholders urged all media establishments and relevant institutions to exercise caution in their reports and official engagements concerning Odidi Community.

They said the ongoing environmental crisis should not be used as a platform to settle, determine or confer recognition on any side in the leadership dispute.

According to them, the environmental crisis and the leadership litigation are two separate issues, and neither should be used to undermine the other.

They said: “The people of Odidi deserve immediate action on the oil spill regardless of the ongoing leadership litigation.”

The stakeholders also alleged that the parallel executive had continued to make public representations concerning its status as Odidi leadership. They urged all parties to allow the judicial process to run its course rather than seek to resolve the dispute through media campaigns.

They further referred to previous court proceedings in which, according to them, legal representation associated with Mr Gbenekama had distanced itself from publications portraying the parallel group as the established leadership of Odidi Community.

While making the leadership clarification, the stakeholders commended the leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, led by President Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, for taking a firm position on the reported prolonged oil spill in the Odidi axis of OML 42 and its reported impact on surrounding communities.

They described the IYC intervention as timely, citing reported effects on the environment, aquatic life, fishing activities and the livelihoods of affected residents.

The stakeholders called on Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), NNPCL, NOSDRA, NUPRC and other relevant government agencies to urgently intervene.

They demanded immediate containment and investigation of the reported spill, environmental assessment, remediation and appropriate consideration of legitimate claims for compensation in accordance with applicable laws and established procedures.

The stakeholders called on the relevant authorities to:

Immediately contain and investigate the reported oil spill.

Commence the appropriate environmental assessment and remediation process, engage duly constituted community representatives while respecting the pending court proceedings.

Ensure affected legitimate victims are not denied appropriate relief and compensation.

Avoid any action that could be interpreted as granting recognition to a disputed parallel leadership while the case remains before the court.

The stakeholders thanked the IYC Worldwide for standing with affected Niger Delta communities and urged the council to sustain its intervention on the environmental concerns confronting Odidi and other communities affected by oil-related pollution.

They maintained that while the leadership dispute should be left for the court to determine, the environmental concerns confronting the people of Odidi require immediate government and regulatory intervention.