The Executive Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Hon. Chief Anthony Onoriode Ofoni JP, on Thursday, June 11, 2026, hosted leaders and critical stakeholders of Ekpan community in a peace and unity meeting to address controversies surrounding the tenure of the Ekpan Development Committee executives.
The meeting, held at the Uvwie council secretariat, sought to douse tensions over claims of tenure elongation for the current EDC Chairman amid a rescheduled election timetable.
Welcoming the delegation, Chief Ofoni said the engagement was necessary to sustain peace, which he described as the “harbinger of development and progress” in the community. He commended the attendees for honoring his invitation, noting that their presence signaled a willingness to work in unity for the good of Ekpan and Uvwie kingdom.
Ofoni told the gathering that resolutions reached would have the seal of HRM Dr Emmanuel Sideso JP, OON, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom, and his office as Council Chairman.
Addressing the controversy, Ofoni explained that the tenure of the current EDC Chairman was originally due to elapse in August 2026. However, adjustments became necessary to avoid clashes with government election schedules and other activities in an election year. He stressed that the adjustment “does not automatically translate into an elongation of tenure” but allows the administration to address pressing issues first.
Under the new arrangement, the current EDC tenure will now elapse in March 2027. The various “Etche” in Ekpan are to reach a compromise on which would produce the next community Chairman. By April 2027, three nominees from the agreed Etche are to be presented to the Council Chairman for security screening. The successful candidate will be sworn in by June 2027.
Ofoni advised the community to nominate individuals with “credibility, dignity and repute,” adding that he would exercise his prerogative to install the next EDC chairman from the projected Etche if nominees fail security screening.
The Chairman said the intervention aligns with the fourth pillar of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. agenda on peace and security. He urged leaders to cascade the resolutions to their various Etche and to maintain peace before, during, and after the transition.
Stakeholders at the meeting praised Ofoni’s handling of the matter. Chief Omoko, the Esirera of Ohore, said dialogue was a better alternative to chaos. Chief Henry Urumeji, Unuevworo of Ovwori, commended the Chairman’s wisdom and pledged to uphold the peace. Barr. Chief Victor Otomiewo, Unuevworo of Etche r’ Oriokpor, expressed readiness to reconcile with anyone offended in the community. Mrs Beauty Ikpesan, speaking for the Ehweyare, urged leaders to stop misleading youths.
*Key resolutions adopted at the meeting include:*
– *Constitutional Compliance*: EDC operations will continue to be guided by the constitution.
– *No Tenure Elongation*: Adjustment of the election timetable is not tenure elongation. The EDC constitution provides for one tenure only.
– *New Tenure Timeline*: Current tenure elapses March 2027. Nominees to be submitted by April 2027. New administration to be sworn in by June 2027.
– *Nomination Process*: Stakeholders to nominate three persons from the agreed Etche for security screening.
– *Dissemination*: Inuevworo, Isiavwe, Esirerhas, quarter Chairmen, Ighwuvwie, Ehweyares, and Uvwies to cascade resolutions to their Etche.
The resolutions were ratified by the assembly of chiefs, stakeholders, and quarter Chairmen present. The meeting was witnessed by ACP Aliyu Shaba of the Effurun Area Command, CSP Saibu Braimoh, DPO of Ekpan Police Station, and other officials including SLG Sir Graham Alakabrukeme Osakwe, councillors, and aides.
