*The Samagidi Community election was conducted in line with the community’s constitution and court approval

By Ogba O.Ogba

UGHELLI – The former President General of the Samagidi community in Ughelli North local government area, Pastor Oduesie Simeon, has lashed the executive chairman of Ughelli North local government area, Hon. (Barr) Jaro Egbo, for declaring the community’s election null and void and canceled.

Speaking to newsmen at Ughelli, the community’s former president general tongue lashed the council chairman for mending the affairs of the community when his attention was not called for, thereby trying to set confusion in the peace-loving community of Samagidi Agbarha-motor.

According to him, the election of the new executive members was conducted by the constitution of the community and approved by the Magistrate Court Ughelli, Delta State.

“The electoral guidelines and laws as enshrined in the community’s constitution were followed to the letter.

“We contacted relevant authorities as required by the constitution before setting up the electoral committee and returning officers have gotten the permission of competent law court.

“The election is free of rancour, it was free and fair at the instance of security agencies, elders and leaders of the community.

“As a former president general (PG) of the community who is also a custodian of the community’s constitution, I am dire to say that the council chairman has no constitutional right to set aside, suspend or declare the community election null and void”.

While calling on relevant authorities to call the council chairman to order, he deemed the actions of the Ughelli north council boss capable of causing dangers, crisis, and unnecessary pandemonium in the peace-loving community of Samagidi Agbarha-motor.

“Jaro Egbo does not fan the ember of crisis, disunity, and war in our dear community; face your council work.

“Our constitution advised us to seek the service of security personnel if there is a perceived crisis in the election, and the elected should be introduced to the relevant authorities in Agbarha-motor kingdom and Ughelli north council not to come to supervise or conduct elections for the community.

“We will not accept any attempt to cause curious in our peace-loving community by anybody, no matter how highly placed the person is; we are laws abiding citizens, so we will not entertain any undue pressure to scuttle the peace and tranquility enjoyed by members of the community.”

It would be recalled that the Ughelli North Council chairman, Hon. (Barr) Jaro Egbo, has Monday, March 17, 2025, declared the recently conducted election in Samagidi Community, Agbarha-Otor Kingdom, as null and void due to procedural irregularities.

According to him in the letter of cancellation of the election titled, “CANCELLATION OF ILLEGAL SAMAGIDI COMMUNITY ELECTION”, the letter stated in part;

“The Ughelli North Local Government Council wishes to inform the general public that the recently conducted election in Samagidi Community, Agbarha-Otor Kingdom, has been declared null and void due to procedural irregularities.

“The election was not properly monitored by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, and the Ughelli North Local Government Council, which are the key bodies responsible for ensuring fairness, transparency, and due process in such exercises.

“Given this, the Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, Olorogun (Barr.) Jaro Movudu Egbo, KSC, has officially canceled the purported election. The results will not be recognized by the relevant government authorities.

All stakeholders, including His Royal Majesty Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle Okorefe I (JP), the Ovie of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom, the President-General of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom, the Elders Council of Samagidi Community, the Divisional Police Officer (D.P.O) of Agbarha-Otor Division, and the general public, are hereby advised to take note of this decision.

A new date for a properly conducted election will be communicated in due course. The government appreciates the cooperation of all community members in ensuring fairness, peace, and good governance.