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OROGHO, Edo State — The leadership crisis in Orogho Community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, has taken a new turn following a rejection by the community’s Council of Elders of claims made by some indigenes against the administration of the Enogie, Prince Patrick Osayende Akenzua.
The Council of Elders said Osahon Imaru and Stanley Osemekha do not have the mandate to speak or act on behalf of the entire Orogho Community.
The position was disclosed during a meeting of the Council of Elders in Orogho, where the community’s spokesperson, Aguebor Ebo, dismissed allegations that the Enogie had been absent from important community festivals and activities.
Ebo maintained that the Enogie had continued to participate in community events, including traditional festivals, contrary to claims attributed to some aggrieved members.
The development followed a recent press conference in Benin City where Imaru and other stakeholders called for the intervention of the Oba of Benin, the Edo State Government and the Orhionmwon Local Government Council over what they described as concerns about the administration of the Orogho Dukedom.
Among the allegations raised by the group were concerns about community funds, the administration of the dukedom and the alleged use of representatives by the Enogie to administer the various communities.
However, the Secretary of Orogho Community, Ikponmwonsa Osayomore, said Imaru and Osemekha, although indigenes of Orogho, had no authority to represent the community without a mandate from its recognised leadership structure.
According to Osayomore, Orogho has an established leadership system and a constitution developed by members of the community, which provides guidelines for the administration of the community and the nomination of representatives.
He alleged that the disagreement involving Imaru and Osemekha intensified after nominees from their quarters were not included in the Orogho Community Council of Representatives during the most recent nomination exercise.
Osayomore said the subsequent challenge to the existing leadership structure could create tension and division within the community.
The community secretary also questioned allegations concerning funds reportedly received for community development, challenging those making the allegations to provide details of the source, amount and utilisation of the funds.
He further raised questions about a borehole project allegedly refurbished under a community development initiative, calling for clarification on the funding and implementation of the project.
In response, Imaru reportedly said the borehole project was implemented under projects associated with the Petroleum Industry Act and advised that further questions concerning the project should be directed to the chairman of the relevant board. He also maintained that, as an elder of the community, he had the right to speak on issues affecting Orogho.
The dispute follows an earlier call by Imaru and other stakeholders for intervention over alleged financial and administrative problems within the Orogho Dukedom. The group had also alleged that ₦38.5 million linked to NEWCROSS Petroleum’s pipeline activities was not properly accounted for, allegations that remain disputed.
The Orogho community leadership has rejected the allegations and challenged those making them to provide evidence that can be independently verified.
The competing claims have therefore widened the dispute from questions about administration and community resources to a fundamental disagreement over who has the legitimate mandate to represent Orogho and speak on its behalf.
The Council of Elders urged members of the community to use established internal mechanisms to resolve disagreements, stressing that peace, unity and development should remain the priority.
The allegations and counter-allegations could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
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