In a significant move to restore peace in Okpaka Community, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, a major leadership crisis that lasted over a year has been resolved.
The resolution came following a recent peace meeting at the Udu Local Government Secretariat.
The meeting presided over by the Chairman of Udu Local Government, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, brought together key stakeholders to address the protracted crisis.
It would be recalled that the leadership dispute in Okpaka had escalated over time, leading to the destruction of properties worth over ₦600 million, with several arrests made and some individuals forced into exile for fear of being killed. Both parties in the conflict had been involved in extensive legal battles, with 10 cases filed in court.
The peace meeting had in attendance the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), security agents, councillors, elders, opinion leaders, and representatives from both Okpaka and Enerhen communities.
During the session, the root cause of the crisis was traced to leadership issues resulting from a disputed community election and constitutional misinterpretations by both parties.
After hours of deliberation, several resolutions were reached. Both factions expressed regret for their actions and pledged to maintain peace moving forward.
It was acknowledged that the misinterpretation of the community’s Constitution had played a central role in the escalation of the conflict, and both sides
agreed that the disregard for the previous administration’s resolution on youth leadership had only worsened the situation.
One of the key resolutions was that all displaced members of the Okpaka community should return home without conditions, while the previous council’s decisions regarding community leadership would remain intact.
The local government, alongside community members, agreed to contribute to the restoration of properties that had been damaged during the conflict, and all pending legal and police cases would be withdrawn immediately.
Additionally, it was agreed future defamatory statements or actions by any party would be met with legal consequences, and the community’s constitution would undergo amendments to prevent similar disputes from arising in the future.
The resolutions were unanimously accepted, and a communique was signed by representatives from both Okpaka and Enerhen, with plans to file it in court as a formal settlement agreement.
The successful resolution of the crisis brought widespread relief to the Okpaka community, and many expressed their gratitude to Olorogun Oyibode for his leadership and wisdom in brokering peace.
