By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Chairman of the Ugborodo Community Trust, Mr. Tenumah Joseph Olori, has dismissed reports of crisis and military interference in the Ugborodo Federated Communities of Delta State, describing the claims as false and aimed at misleading the public.
Addressing journalists in Warri, Tenumah said his emergence as Chairman followed a peaceful and transparent transition endorsed by the elders of the five kindred communities Ode-Ugborodo, Ogidigben, Ajudaibo, Madangho, and Ijaghala.
“It was one of the smoothest transitions in our community’s history,” he said. “Once a new Trust is constituted, any other structure or committee automatically ceases to exist.”
He accused a small group of individuals of attempting to destabilize the community for personal gain, noting that their influence was waning.
“Some people have held Ugborodo hostage for years because they benefit from disorder,” Tenumah said. “Now that there is a legitimate leadership, they are spreading lies to create confusion.”
Reacting to allegations that his team brought armed personnel into the area, he said the claims were unfounded.
“That one is a lie. Nothing of that nature happened,” he said. “Rather, we stand a better chance to accuse them of such actions.”
He cited the case of Mr. G.T. Brown, the Trust’s PRO, who lawfully secured military personnel for his private business operations under an approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Navy.
“Mr. Brown followed due process. His security arrangement was duly approved by naval authorities,” he clarified.
Tenumah, who reaffirmed his commitment to peace, urged the media to report objectively and avoid being used by those attempting to incite unrest.
“Only unity can bring peace, and only peace can bring development,” he said. “We are calling on men of goodwill to speak the truth and support progress in Ugborodo.”