By ENDURANCE IKANONE

The Chairman of the Ugborhen Electoral Committee, Chief Godwin Atose, has declared the recent bye-election that produced Mr. Emmanuel Gordin Esiyede as president of the Ugborhen Community, as null and void, citing procedural irregularities and ongoing litigation.

Chief Atose, who spoke with newsmen over the weekend, maintained that the purported bye-election was conducted without his knowledge or official sanction, describing it as ?illegal and of no consequence.?

?As the chairman of the Ugborhen Electoral Committee, if there is supposed to be a by-election, I am the one that will conduct it,? Atose stated. ?So, whatever election that was conducted without my authority is null and void.?

The embattled chairman noted that the issue of the community leadership remains a subject of litigation currently before the Court of Appeal in Asaba, Delta State. He expressed shock that some individuals went ahead to conduct an election despite the pending appeal.

?How can a matter be in court and some persons are conducting an election?? he queried. ?I am very sure they did that ignorantly and it has no effect. Even though they claim there was no stay of execution from the court, they ought to know that an appeal against a judgment is a stay itself.?

Chief Atose also criticized the manner and location of the alleged election, insisting that all electoral processes within Ugborhen are traditionally held within the town.

?Elections in Ugborhen Community are always done inside the town and not outside. If they say they did an election, who conducted it? Who authorized it? If any bye-election is to be conducted, I am the one with the constitutional mandate to do so,? he added.

The declaration by Chief Atose has further heightened tensions in the oil-rich community, with factions divided over the legitimacy of the electoral process and the rightful occupant of the community?s top leadership seat.

Mr. Emmanuel Gordin Esiyede, who was reportedly declared winner in the controversial poll, could not be reached for comments at press time. (Delta State News Bulletin)

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