Okrikpa Led Odidi Executive remains intact, stakeholders tell Gbenekama to stop parading self as chairman

By Tessy Ogbemi

Stakeholders of Odidi Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have reaffirmed their support for the Prince Preye Okrikpa-led executive, urging Ambassador Truston Gbenekama to stop parading himself as chairman of the community.

The stakeholders also cautioned Gbenekama against using media statements to determine issues relating to the leadership and administration of the community, saying such matters were already before the courts.

Their position was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary of Odidi Community, Clement Numah; Youth President, Oyateide Joseph Hitler; and Women Leader, Mrs Nancy Ikpidi, and made available to FocalPoint Reports in Warri on Monday.

The community officials said they had taken note of a recent statement attributed to Gbenekama and accused him of attempting to create what they described as a false impression about the leadership of Odidi Federated Community.

They said, “We choose not to join issues with him on matters that are already before the court. Both the issue of the leadership and tenure of the Odidi Community Executive and the allegations surrounding the EFCC investigation are subjects of legal proceedings.

“They should therefore be determined by the courts and not by Truston Gbenekama through media propaganda.”

The officials insisted that the Okrikpa-led executive remained the recognised leadership structure of the community, adding that repeated declarations of legitimacy through press statements could not, in their view, confer legitimacy.

“Truston Gbenekama does not acquire legitimacy by repeatedly declaring himself legitimate through press statements,” the statement said.

The stakeholders further alleged that Gbenekama ,Bene Mamamu and some associates had previously attempted to pressure the community chairman over access to community funds, an allegation they said resulted in subsequent criticism of the administration after the chairman allegedly refused to yield to their demands.

They, however, advised anyone with evidence of financial wrongdoing to present such evidence before the appropriate authorities and the courts rather than conducting what they described as a “trial through the media.”

On the management of community resources, the officials said the people of Odidi were aware of compensation received in connection with oil spills and other engagements, including FTO and GFoU/MOU-related payments.

They maintained that such funds were managed through the recognised community executive structure, with the five quarters represented in the arrangements for distribution and allocation.

The officials challenged Gbenekama to produce documentary evidence if he disputed their account.

They also raised questions about funds allegedly received or managed on behalf of Odidi youths during Gbenekama’s tenure as Youth President.

“Truston Gbenekama should come forward and give a full account of the millions of naira he received or managed on behalf of the Odidi youths during his tenure as Youth President,” the statement said.

The officials asked for details of projects allegedly executed with such funds and called for the production of relevant financial records.

They further alleged that funds, jobs and contracts meant for members of the community were, during Gbenekama’s period of influence, sometimes allegedly channelled through him as an intermediary, depriving the community of benefits due to them, He made millions of Naira fronting jobs and contracts .

The allegations were not accompanied by documentary evidence in the statement.

The officials also challenged Gbenekama, Hon. Friday Deinghan and others to account for funds, interventions and other resources allegedly received by Odidi Community before the emergence of the Okrikpa-led administration.

According to them, accountability should apply to all community leadership structures and should not be demanded selectively.

On the reported EFCC matter involving the community chairman, the officials said they would not determine the guilt or innocence of any individual through the media.

“We will not determine guilt or innocence on the pages of newspapers or social media. The matter is before the court, and the legal process should be allowed to run its course,” they said.

They similarly maintained that the dispute over the leadership and tenure of the Odidi Community Executive was before the court and should therefore be resolved through the judicial process.

The stakeholders also raised questions over what they described as the alleged creation and use of a purported “Friday Deinghan Village” within Odidi Community to hijack relief materials and compensation provided by Heritage Energy Operational Services.

They challenged those behind the alleged arrangement to produce recognised community records establishing the existence, boundaries and status of the purported village.

The officials stressed that Odidi Community belonged to its people and not to any individual or faction.

“Odidi Community does not belong to Truston Gbenekama, Preye Okrikpa or any individual. It belongs to the people,” they said.

They called on all parties to refrain from making allegations through the media while the relevant matters remained before the courts.

“We remain confident in the judicial process and will allow the courts to determine the matters properly before them,” the statement added.

The stakeholders urged Gbenekama to take any evidence he might have to the appropriate authorities and the court, insisting that the judiciary should be allowed to determine the disputed leadership and other legal issues.