Tussle over Amanana-owei stool in Delta: Tuomo community stands firm on Chief Agidee
BURUTU—The ongoing tussle over the Amanana-owei (traditional ruler) stool of Tuomo community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State is escalating, with the community reaffirming its earlier election of Chief Ebikapaye Agidee.
Meanwhile, the Burutu Council Chairman, Chief Julius Takeme, has ordered a fresh election for the stool.
Tuomo, a host community to the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC), has a history of intra-communal crises over leadership elections, often forcing residents to flee to neighboring Bomadi and other communities.
In a statement released on social media yesterday, the council chairman announced the commencement of the sale of nomination forms for executive positions in the community. He also directed the community transition committee, led by Barr. Roland Ombe, to postpone the Amanana-owei election, citing ongoing legal issues.
The statement partly read: “The Burutu Council Chairman has ordered the commencement of the sale of nomination forms for the executive positions of Tuomo community. The council chairman also directed the community transition committee to postpone the Amanana-owei election due to ongoing legal matters.”
However, the leadership and residents of Akerebunou quarters, one of the three quarters in Tuomo community, remain resolute in their decision to elect Chief Ebikapaye Agidee. They emphasize that the election followed the community’s rotational arrangement for the stool.
Speaking on behalf of Akerebunou quarters, Chairman Mr. Okorotie Oyabra said: “Earlier this week, the council chairman visited the community, expressing his intention to conduct an election. However, we informed him that the people of Akerebunou quarters have already elected Chief Ebikapaye Agidee as our Amanana-owei, in line with our community constitution. Chief Agidee was duly sworn in by the oldest man in Tuomo, Pa S.K. Waide.”
Oyabra added that the council chairman sought to gauge community support for Chief Agidee through a voice vote. “When he asked if the community supported Chief Agidee, the response was a resounding YES, with no dissenting voices. However, he still refused to endorse Chief Agidee’s election,” Oyabra said.
The youth of Akerebunou quarters, led by Mr. Oweilayefa Apostle, also reaffirmed their unanimous support for Chief Agidee. They called on politicians to refrain from interfering in the community’s affairs.
“All Akerebunou youths stand firmly behind Chief Ebikapaye Agidee as the Amanana-owei of Tuomo. There is no rancor among us. Out of five candidates, three withdrew and pledged their support for Chief Agidee, while only one, Mr. Arebebe Ebiemi, opposed the decision. Mr. Ebiemi took the matter to court, but the court in Okpokunou struck out the case after hearing arguments from both sides,” Apostle stated.
Apostle also revealed that the council chairman’s intervention has caused unrest. “We staged a peaceful protest against the chairman’s plan when he visited the community. We want peace, and the decision to elect Chief Agidee reflects the collective will of Tuomo people,” he added.
Cleric’s Reaction
Pastor Yokoro Ayama of Jesus My Saviour Ministry, Akerebunou quarters, also weighed in on the matter, blaming the local government for the tension.
“The problem in Tuomo is the interference of the local government authority. We have peacefully elected Chief Ebikapaye Agidee as our Amanana-owei. Even the court struck out the case brought against him. Yet, the council chairman insists on disrupting our decision,” Ayama said.
The cleric appealed to the authorities to respect the community’s choice. “The local government should leave Tuomo alone. Both the old and young in Akerebunou quarters have chosen Chief Agidee, and we will not be manipulated by politicians. All we want is peace,” he concluded.
