BREAKING: Elders in Odidi urge members to disregard purported Congress tomorrow, say Akamu not eldestman, can’t call Congress Meeting

By Monday Peters, Abuja

The Odidi community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State has called on members of the community to disregard the purported Congress meeting called by what they described as an impersonator, Chief Williams Mamamu, also known as Akamu parading as the eldestman in the community.

In a press briefing held by the community elders in Warri on Saturday clarify that the eldestman in the community was Pa. Isaac Meneko and not chief Akamu, adding that the tomorrow’s purported Congress was null and void, as it was not authorized by the eldersman of the community.

According to a statement signed by Pa. Isaac Meneko, Gilbert Deribi, Daniel Meneko, James Meneko, Chief Godwin Akori, Bar Clarkson Aribogha, Chief Terry Ogisi, Chief Micheal Aribogha and Chief Godwin Akori, the public should disregard a Congress purportedly called by Akamu under the whims and the caprices of Prince Preye Okrikpa, the embattled Chairman of Odidi community.

The elders also called on the security agencies to call the embattled chairman of the community Prince Preye Okrikpa to order, adding that he should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the community.

The statement reads, “That Pa. Isaac Meneko is the eldest man in the Odidi Community, traditionally known as the Amakosuowei, and by virtue of that position he serves as the Chairman of the Council of Elders, the apex traditional decision-making body of the community.

“That Prince Preye Okrikpa is the current Chairman of the Odidi Community whose tenure is due to expire on the 28th day of April, 2026.

“That in a calculated attempt to fraudulently secure an unlawful tenure elongation, the said Prince Preye Okrikpa has allegedly conspired with one Chief Williams Mamamu, also known as Akamu, to falsely present himself as the eldest man in Odidi Community, and on that false premise purportedly called for a community Congress scheduled for the 15th day of March, 2026.

“That said Chief Williams Mamamu (a.k.a. Akamu) is not the eldest man in the Odidi Community, but rather the fourth in the order of age, and therefore lacks the traditional authority he now falsely claims”

“That in furtherance of his bid to unlawfully retain power, the said Prince Preye Okrikpa has allegedly orchestrated false allegations against several innocent indigenes of the community, which led to their arrest and transfer to Abuja, from where they were eventually released upon discovery that no offence had been committed”.

“That these acts are calculated to intimidate, harass and silence elders and stakeholders of the community who hold dissenting opinions, thereby creating tension and division within the community”.

“That if these actions are not urgently checked, they are capable of triggering serious unrest and a breakdown of law and order in Odidi Community, particularly as the purported Congress scheduled for 15th March, 2026 may provoke confrontation among community members”.

“Consequent upon the foregoing, we respectfully urge the police and DSS to urgently invite and investigate the said Chief Williams Mamamu a.k.a. Akamu and Prince Preye Okrikpa, and take all necessary steps within the ambit of the law to prevent any act capable of causing a breach of the peace in the Odidi Community”.

“However, we must respectfully state that failure to urgently intervene may allow the situation to escalate beyond control, thereby leading to an avoidable breakdown of peace and security in the community”.