Descendants of Uhonmora-Ora community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State has handed down a two week Ultimatum to the Uhonmora Council of Chiefs to settle its lingering internal dispute as failure to so do will leave the community with no option but to take a tough decision on its administrative structure and system.
The ultimatum was handed down at the weekend during the Inauguration congress of the Uhonmora Progressive Union Worldwide when new executives were sworn in to pilot the affairs of the association for the next three years.
The indigenes lamented that the prolonged division in the Council of Chiefs which sees many chiefs boycotting palace meetings and breaking into camps and factions , has greatly impeded the development of the community.
Handing down the ultimatum which was supported by an overwhelming voice vote, the President, Uhonmora Progressive Union Worldwide, Comrade Ikharo Attah insisted that Union would
continue to remain neutral and not get involved in the dispute bedeviling the council of Chiefs and all its internal matters so as not to be accused of taking sides with contending parties and factional interests.
In his words, “ after this two weeks we may get the elders to mediate if there is no peaceful resolution. Thereafter the entire Uhonmora sons and daughters would be left with no option than to convene an extra-ordinary Emergency Worldwide congress during which historic decisions would be taken on the administration of Uhonmora and future of the community”
Comrade Ikharo blames the defrauding of Uhonmora Secondary school SSS 3 students by the school’s former principal for two consecutive years on the obvious division in the council of Chiefs which has made it impossible for the community stand united and speak with a common voice.
The group also condemned in strongest of terms the payment of community monies into personal accounts which in the past few years cannot be accounted for.
“Since the past days we have been inundated with calls and complaints over payments of community money into personal accounts which cannot be accounted for. From the complaint which comes from most of you present here in this assembly , money from the allocation of lands running into seve millions of Naira were paid directly to some prominent people accounts in the community and their are allegations that such funds are no longer available.”
“ from henceforth no community money should be paid to any individual by hand or into anyone’s personal bank account. There must be a community bank account immediately into which funds would be paid.”
Speaking at the event, the Speaker of the Edo state House of Assembly, Honourable Blessing Agbebaku who is also a descendent of Uhonmora frowned bitterly at the division in council of Chiefs. He urge them to be united, set aside their differences and work as team.
According to the speaker, “ I won’t wait for the community to take a tough decision on this matter following this two weeks ultimatum. I would invite all the chiefs to my house for an expanded community engagement. I will reach out to each of them personally on my own. Am very sure that after that there would be a strong unity among the chiefs ”
On the directive for a functional community account into which monies would be paid , the speaker promised to facilitate it immediately he arrived Benin city on Monday.
“ I don’t know which name we want to use to open the account, but please get the two or three signatories required by early next week so that the account can be opened immediately. Paying money into personal accounts is completely inappropriate and we should not condone it at all”
Two time UPU president, Sir Aide Iziokhai lamented that things are not going well in the community noting that many concerned elders are worried about it. He charged the current UPU leadership on transparency accountability and dedication to community development.
Immediate past Caretaker Chairman, Mr Ohilebo Agbebaku also emphasised the need for unity in all facets of the community*
