Odidi Community Disowns Okirikpa, Says Protest Embarked On By Gbenekama Remains Legitimate, Authorized

By Osaro Michael, Benin

The Odidi Federated Community in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State has disowned what it described as unauthorized protests and illegal activities allegedly being carried out by one Prince Preye Okirikpa.

In a press statement signed by the Chairman of the community, Amb. Truston Gbenekama and Secretary, Chief Bene Mamamu, the community warned the public to disassociate from Okirikpa and his group.

According to the statement, “Our attention has been drawn to a misleading publication authored by one Prince Preye Okirikpa, a former chairman whose tenure has since expired.”

The community leadership stated that it was not in its character to respond to controversial persons, but became necessary for record purposes.

“It is not our style to join issues or respond to controversial and unstable persons whose trademark is impersonation and misleading the public for self-aggrandizement, but we have decided to issue this rejoinder for record purposes,” the statement said.

The Odidi community further clarified that those who signed the said report being circulated are not members of any executive council, stressing that the Okirikpa-led exco has long expired.

“We wish to state unequivocally that those who signed the said inimical report are not members of any executive council. The Okirikpa-led community exco has long expired,” it stated.

The leadership also cautioned the public against dealing with Okirikpa and 13 others, describing their activities as illegal.

“The public should beware of the illegal activities of Prince Preye Okirikpa, Clement Numa, Mr. Mike Komkemele, Chief William Mamamu, Chief Lawrence Okrikpa, Chief Michael Aribogha, Elder Pori Newyear, Elder Godwin Ganiga, Elder Mike Kulu, Chief Isaiah Ibilou, Moses Ibilou, Mr. Johnson Febunafa, Mr. Joseph Hitler Oyateide and Mrs. Nancy Ado,” the statement alleged.

It added, “They are persons of unstable and questionable character. They should not be trusted. They are liars, blackmailers and impersonators, and they do not have the backing of the community to speak. Anyone who does business with them does so at his or her own risk.”

On the leadership structure of the community, the statement emphasized that there is no parallel government in Odidi.

“The public should note that there is no parallel government in the Odidi Community. We have emphasized time without numbers that the Amb. Truston Gbenekama-led executive is the legitimate leadership of the community,” it said.

The community maintained that the only authorized protest over the oil spill in the area is the one led by the Gbenekama administration.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the protest led by the Gbenekama-led government is duly authorized by the community. The said Preye Okirikpa is a drowning ship, a sour wine struggling for attention. He does not have the backing or authorization of the community to speak on its behalf,” the statement said.

It further stressed that the Gbenekama-led leadership has been engaging in Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited and relevant regulatory authorities over the seven-month prolonged oil spill ravaging the community.

“The legitimate leadership led by Gbenekama has been engaging the Heritage Energy Nigeria Limited and relevant authorities involved and discussions are ongoing. Okirikpa has no right and is not authorized to carry out any protest on behalf of the community without the authorization of the Gbenekama administration,” the statement added.

Debunking claims of a court injunction, the community said, “We stated earlier that there is no court order directing the Gbenekama-led executive to maintain the status quo. The public should disregard the lies from the pit of hell being peddled by Okirikpa and his co-travellers.”

While disowning Okirikpa’s activities, the community called on Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited to avoid dealing with gold diggers and window dressers, and appealed to relevant authorities to act on the spill.

“The protests led by the Gbenekama-led community leadership are the only genuine and authorized protests by the community. The activities of Okirikpa have been disowned by the community,” it said.

“While we urge Heritage Energy Nigeria to immediately clean up the prolonged oil spill that is ravaging the environment and causing humanitarian crisis in Odidi community, the Heritage should not have any dealings with Okirikpa and his mischief makers because their activities are illegal and unauthorized,” the statement added.

The community therefore called on “Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), NOSDRA, NUPRC, NMDPRA and the Delta State Government to immediately put an end to the seven-month prolonged oil spill and urgently clean up the environment for the safety of the community.”