Controversy brews in Itsekiri as Chief Emami distances self from Oniyesan’s purported dissolution of IRDC Exco

A major crisis is brewing in Warri Kingdom following today’s (Tuesday March 1) controversial dissolution of the Chief Ayirimi Emami led executive of Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC by the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Austin Oniyesan, otherwise known as Gbokwa.

The tenure of the IRDC executive ought to have elapsed mid 2015, but events in Warri Kingdom, including the transition of the late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II and the subsequent coronation of the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli put the change of leadership on hold.

Fresh Angle International can authoritatively report that immediately the Emami led executive was allegedly dissolved by Mr. Austin Oniyesan at the IRDC Secretariat in Warri, after Hon. Michael Diden A.K.A. Ejele moved the motion and it was seconded by Mr. Smart Edema, a five-man Electoral Committee Chaired by Mr. Simeon Iluwa with Mr. Billy Ekele serving as Secretary was swiftly inaugurated. Other members of the Electoral Committee are Mr. Smart Edema, Alfred Temisaren and Tony Olomaekugbe.

Our Correspondent reports that immediately they were inaugurated, they went into a closed door meeting for few minutes, only for them to come out later and Hon. Michael Diden purportedly swore-in Mr. Austin Oniyesan as the new IRDC Chairman, with two old prominent executive members, Mr. Mode Akoma , Prince Moses Fregene, Itse Orugboh and Victor Neburagho making up the list of the “new five-man executive”.

Speaking exclusively to Fresh Angle International in a telephone chat, Chief Ayirimi Emami distanced himself from the mild drama, saying Mr. Oniyesan did not have his authority to dissolve his executive. Chief Emami sounded it clear that the exercise would not hold because due process wasn’t followed, neither was he consulted.

Fresh Angle International can also report that initiator and sponsor of IRDC, Chevron Nigeria Limited had no representation in the swearing-in of the Oniyesan led executive by Hon. Michael Diden, while the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli was also not represented at the event which witnessed the presence of ‘Red Beret’ Security men and hordes of youths.

An official of Chevron Nigeria Limited, who does not want to be mentioned, expressed surprise at the development when your soar away tabloid put a call through to him, promising that his company would make official pronouncement soon.

Reports had been rife that the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli was quoted to have made it clear that all those who had represented their communities in the IRDC from 2005 till date must not return, even as Deacon Daniel Odonghanro and Mr. Tony Aderojor reportedly resigned from the Chief Ayirimi Emami led executive a couple of weeks ago.

As at the time of this report, the Olu of Warri was yet to issue a statement on the purported dissolution of the Emami led executive and subsequent swearing-in of the Austin Oniyesan led executive, with tongues wagging the development may be viewed as ignoring the Monarch’s order.

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