Comrade Digbopho Tenyo, an indigene of Otughievwen Community in Ughelli South LGA, has urged the Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Mukoro, and Secretary, Chief Samson Janughan, to avoid linking Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s name to alleged irregularities in preparations for the community’s leadership election.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, Tenyo expressed concern over claims of electoral misconduct and irregularities in family delegate lists, which he said led to the postponement of the scheduled polls.

Tenyo stated that the community’s peace and stability are at risk due to tensions arising from the election process. He specifically cautioned against any attempt to invoke the Governor’s authority to justify actions or decisions related to the exercise.

“We know our Governor to be a man of justice and a lover of the people who would never sanction any illegality,” Tenyo said. “We therefore call on His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to take note of the situation and issue a clear position against those linking his administration to local administrative matters.”

He appealed to the Governor and relevant security agencies to intervene to ensure a free, fair, and credible election is conducted soon, adding that the process should strictly follow the Otughievwen Community Constitution, including the use of family-approved delegate lists.

Tenyo emphasized the need for the election to proceed peacefully within the next seven days using the original, properly sanctioned delegate lists to avoid further escalation.

In response, Electoral Committee Secretary Chief Samson Janughan described reports alleging misuse of the Governor’s name as false. He explained that the committee suspended the election to allow harmonization of complaints from candidates and families involved in producing delegate lists.

“In order to harmonise the agitations from various candidates and families, we suspended the election for peace to reign,” Janughan said. “We are in the process of addressing all concerns to ensure a fair and credible election. A new date will be communicated to everyone once harmonisation is complete.”

He reiterated that neither he nor the committee chairman has any agenda involving the Governor’s name, dismissing such claims as unfounded.

The Otughievwen Community Election remains postponed, with stakeholders awaiting the committee’s next steps to restore calm and transparency in the process.