By Lucky Uto
The Odidi Federated Community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State has dismissed reports alleging the dissolution of its executive led by Prince Preye Okirikpa, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a disclaimer issued on Tuesday and signed by the Community Executive Secretary, Mr. Clement Numah, the community said the report was a deliberate attempt by certain groups to create confusion and destabilise the existing leadership.
It clarified that Prince Preye Okirikpa remains the duly recognised chairman of the community, stressing that no security agency or government authority dissolved the executive as alleged.
The disputed report had claimed that officials of the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Warri South-West Local Government Council jointly sacked the leadership over an expired tenure. However, the community firmly denied any such action.
According to the statement, a congress held on March 15, 2026, unanimously approved an extension of the current executive’s tenure and also initiated the drafting of a community constitution.
The leadership further explained that it had earlier petitioned security agencies over attempts by some individuals to set up a parallel executive structure, prompting a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 27, 2026.
The meeting, which involved representatives of the police, DSS, and the local government, was said to have focused on security concerns and ongoing disputes already before the court in Suit Nos. W/46/2026 and W/2/2026.
The community emphasized that the matters are currently sub judice and that no authority present at the meeting made any pronouncement dissolving the executive committee.
It added that security agencies and local government authorities lack the legal authority to unilaterally dissolve a community leadership already involved in judicial proceedings.
Warning against misinformation, the community said such false reports could incite unrest and mislead the public.
Odidi Federated Community therefore urged residents and stakeholders to disregard the rumour, remain calm, and continue to uphold peace and order.
It reaffirmed that the executive led by Prince Preye Okirikpa remains the legitimate and recognised leadership of the community.
