By Our Correspondent

National News – What began as a peaceful exercise in Otu-Ughievwen Community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, has spiralled into a major crisis following allegations that the outcome of the Community Development Committee (CDC) election was overturned through official recognition of a candidate who lost at the polls.

The controversy has divided the community, triggered violent confrontations, and prompted calls for intervention by President Bola Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, security agencies and other stakeholders.

The Election

On June 3, 2026, residents of Otu-Ughievwen Community converged at the community town hall to elect members of the Community Development Committee (CDC), the body responsible for piloting the affairs of the community for the next few years.

The election was contested by Engr. Augustine Garri, Ogedegbe Bekederemor and Udorume Sunday.

After delegates cast their votes, the ballots were collated and the final results announced. Engr. Augustine Garri polled 10 votes to emerge winner, defeating Ogedegbe Bekederemor, who secured six votes, while Udorume Sunday received two votes.

The declaration of the result was reportedly greeted with widespread jubilation across the community as residents celebrated what they believed reflected the will of the delegates.

The Controversy

The celebrations, however, were short-lived.

The crisis began after the Delta State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Mrs. Pat Ajudua, allegedly issued a certificate to Ogedegbe Bekederemor instead of Engr. Augustine Garri, who had been declared winner of the election.

Armed with the certificate, Bekederemor declared himself the duly recognised CDC Chairman of Otu-Ughievwen Community, maintaining that he had the official recognition of the Delta State Government despite losing the election.

That action became the turning point in the dispute.

Community Rejects Recognition

Residents opposed to the development rejected Bekederemor’s recognition, insisting that the June 3 election had already produced Engr. Augustine Garri as CDC Chairman.

The opposition was further strengthened by claims that Bekederemor is not a native of Otu-Ughievwen. They said he hails from Kiagbodo in Burutu Local Government Area and Aladja in Udu Local Government Area, making him ineligible to occupy a position reserved for natives of Otu-Ughievwen Community.

Despite the resistance, Bekederemor reportedly maintained that his name appeared in the records of the Delta State Ministry of Community Development as the CDC Chairman of Otu-Ughievwen and insisted that no other person, including the declared winner of the election, could occupy the office.

Violence Erupts

The disagreement soon escalated beyond a leadership dispute.

Supporters of the June 3 election results allege that they became targets of repeated attacks.

According to accounts from the community, violence erupted against residents who insisted that the outcome of the election should be respected.

The situation reached a new level after an overnight attack during which gunshots reportedly echoed through parts of the community.

Spent shell casings and live rounds of ammunition were reportedly recovered after the incident.

Community members alleged that thugs hired by Bekederemor carried out the midnight operation, attacking supporters of Engr. Augustine Garri with firearms and machetes.

Several residents were reportedly injured during the attacks, including Goodness Gome and Urhukpe Jeffrey who are yet to recover from the attacks.

Calls for Intervention

As tension continues to mount, the Ughievwen Peace and Development Forum (UPDF) has called for urgent intervention by President Bola Tinubu, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Inspector-General of Police Ola Disu, Delta State Commissioner of Police Yemi John and other well-meaning Nigerians.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr. John Ariemure, and Secretary, Comrade Emuejevoke Uvo, the forum vowed that Otu-Ughievwen Community and the entire Ughievwen Kingdom would resist what it described as any attempt to impose a stranger as CDC Chairman.

The group also accused Ogedegbe Bekederemor and Commissioner Pat Ajudua of undermining the outcome of the June 3 CDC election and urged the relevant authorities to intervene before the crisis deteriorates further.

Efforts to get the views of Mrs. Pat Ajudua and Mr. Ogedegbe Bekederemor proved abortive.