Delta Community Accuses LG Chairman Of Palace Coup  

Emadadja community, in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene in the leadership crisis currently rocking the community. 

In a statement signed by the National Secretary of the Amnesty Presidential Program, Phase Two (Delta State) Vwaghie Stephen, and made available to newsmen, the community fingered the Local Government Chairman in the fracas. 

According to the statement, ‘’The Emadadja community, known for its peace-loving and progressive nature, staged a peaceful protest on Friday, May 2, 2025, to reject what they described as a deliberate attempt to hijack their community leadership through external interference allegedly orchestrated by the Udu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Chief Vincent Oyibode.

‘’The protest, which drew a large crowd of concerned residents—comprising elders, women, and youths—was conducted despite heavy rainfall. The demonstrators called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, and other relevant authorities to intervene and stop the Council boss from destabilizing the community’s established democratic process.

‘’According to community leaders, Hon. Oyibode’s actions are allegedly motivated by his ambition to ascend the throne as the next King of Udu Kingdom. As part of this larger plan, he is reportedly working to install his loyalists as community presidents across Udu, including Emadadja, to build a political support base. 

‘’The people cited that the outgoing executive led by Comrade Festus Oshemughe peacefully handed over to the newly and credibly elected leadership of Comrade Felix Ighogboja on April 30, in a process that was transparent, inclusive, and grounded in the community’s traditions.

‘’However, the Chairman’s alleged attempt to sponsor a parallel executive—spearheaded by a former President General, Chief Sunday Subi—has sparked outrage and fear of possible unrest. The protesters further revealed that this is not the first time Hon. Oyibode has faced backlash for such political manoeuvres. 

‘’Only recently, he controversially inaugurated a self-styled “Udu Council of Chiefs” made up of his friends, allies, and political associates—a move widely condemned by a broad spectrum of Udu traditional chiefs and stakeholders.

‘’The President General, Comrade Felix Ighogboja; former PG Comrade Saviour Oghenekovhworo; youth leader Mr Joseph German; and women’s leader Mrs Taku Ighororon all echoed the same warning: any attempt to impose a parallel leadership structure will provoke avoidable conflict reminiscent of the tragic violence of 2003, which left the community scarred by bloodshed and underdevelopment.

The people of Emadadja are calling on the Delta State Government, security agencies, Senator Ede Dafinone, Hon. Ejiro Waive, Hon. Collins Egbetamah, and all critical stakeholders to intervene swiftly and uphold the peace, unity, and democratic integrity of the community. 

‘’The MORE Agenda of the current administration stands for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security—a vision the people of Emadadja remain committed to, and one that must not be derailed by political ambition’’.

Attempts to get the reaction of the Council Chairman, Chief Vincent Oyibode, to the allegations failed as he did not pick the calls put across to him.