*Contestants accused the electoral body of being biased.

By Omome Ogbogoh‎‎

UGHELLI – Palpable tension is currently brewing in Ekredjebo community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, following the cancellation of the community youths’ election, which was earlier scheduled to hold at the Ughelli Kingdom Hall.‎‎

Addressing journalists, one of the chairmanship aspirants, Mr. Timothy Ikperha, told journalists that the election process has been marred by repeated delays and alleged bias on the part of the electoral committee.

‎‎He explained that the Delta State Government had earlier directed both factions of the community to appear at the Government House in Asaba for reconciliation meetings. While his faction honoured the invitations, his rival faction repeatedly failed to show up.‎‎

He disclosed further that the Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Jaro Omovudu Egbo, later intervened on two occasions, summoning both factions for a reconciliation meeting. Still, again his rival turned down the council boss’s invitation.

The matter was subsequently taken before the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, after which the state government instructed that the local council chairman should handle the issue and proceed with the election.‎‎Following several consultations, both the state government and local government authorities initially agreed that the election would be conducted through a delegate system. However, after protests by some community members opposing the delegate election, the council reportedly shifted to an Option A4 system, allowing all registered community members to vote openly for their preferred candidates.‎‎Ikperha disclosed further that the state government fixed November 6, 2025, as the election date, adding that after accreditation and initial proceedings at the venue, officials abruptly announced the cancellation of the election, citing undisclosed reasons and hinting at a possible return to the delegate system—an action he described as unacceptable.‎

“We were all told that the election must be held today. After accreditation, everyone stood, and it was clear that my supporters were in the majority. Then suddenly, they said the election had been canceled and would go back to delegate voting,” Mr. Timothy Ikperha lamented.‎‎He accused the electoral committee of bias, alleging that some members were working to favour certain individuals.‎‎

“They are biased and working in favour of some group of people. They have failed in their duty and don’t know their job,” he said.‎‎When asked whether the cancellation was for security reasons, Mr. Timothy disagreed, insisting that the decision was politically motivated.‎‎“No, they are not looking at the security aspect. The other people are just afraid they might lose,” he said.‎‎

He called on the Delta State Government to intervene urgently and ensure that the election is conducted fairly and transparently.‎‎

“I want the state government to come and look into this matter. The election should be conducted immediately,” he urged.

‎‎As of press time, neither the Ughelli North Local Government Council nor the Delta State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had issued an official statement on the status of the election.