Delta Community Petitions CP Over Alleged Election Meddling By Otu-Jeremi DPO

By Osaro Michael, Benin

A controversy is brewing in the Otughievwen Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, as the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, Asaba, faces a petition over alleged unlawful interference in the community’s chairmanship election.

The petition, filed by Igho Ogedegbe Esq. on behalf of Mr. Lakpa Innocent, a member of the Kporo Family of Urhorho Quarter, Otughievwen Community, alleged that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Otu-Jeremi Police Divisional Headquarters, visited the community on January 17, 2026, and directed that the list of delegates for the election be submitted to him.

The DPO also insisted that a particular family, which had no representative in the duly constituted Screening Committee, must be included in the delegate list, despite the community’s constitution and tradition vesting exclusive authority over electoral processes in the Community Conference and its organs.

The petition claims the DPO’s actions amount to unlawful interference, usurpation of powers, and breach of police neutrality, and has sparked fears that the election’s integrity may be compromised.

The petitioner demands the DPO’s recusal and withdrawal from the election process, deployment of a neutral police officer, and a clear directive restraining police interference in delegate selection and screening processes.

The petition reads: “The constitutional role of the Nigeria Police Force in community elections is strictly limited to maintenance of law and order and provision of security… The DPO’s demand for submission of the delegate list and insistence on inclusion of a constitutionally disqualified family amounts to unlawful interference.”

The police are yet to respond to the allegations. The community’s election is scheduled for February 2026.