Full text: Speech delivered by PG, Okpe Union, Akpotor in Lagos
TEXT OF A PRESS STATEMENT DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENT GENERAL OF OKPE UNION HEADQUARTERS, MR PATRICK AKPOTOR IN OKPE HOUSE, OBALENDE LAGOS DURING THE OKPE UNION NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON 14TH NOVEMBER, 2020.
The Okpe Union having just held its 2020 National Conference (also known as General Assembly) comprising delegates from its branches all 36 states of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja have taken some decisions which are hereby communicated to all members of the Okpe Union and the general public.
The Okpe Union 2020 National conference considered the state of the Okpe Union and recent developments regarding the purported dissolution of the elected national leadership of the Union including imposition of an interim committee of the Okpe Union. The conference noted that the Okpe Union, being a registered organization under the Lands Perpetual Succession Ordinance of 1924 and thus under the Corporate Affairs Commission, is an autonomous organization with its constitution and under Nigerian federal laws that govern incorporated non-governmental organizations.
Delegates at the conference noted the recent purported imposition of some individuals as interim leaders of the Okpe Union, who were given unauthorized powers to preside over the affairs of the Union for two years and delegates unanimously rejected the infliction of the interim leaders.
Without prejudice to anyone whom the authority to usurp the powers of the duly elected National Executive Committee was derived, the 2020 National Conference (also described as the General Assembly), the highest decision making organ of the Okpe Union mandated the national leadership of the Okpe Union to communicate the following resolutions reached at the 2020 National Conference which held on the 14th of November, 2020 at the Okpe House, No. 65, Moshalashi Street, Obalende, Lagos.
- That the Okpe Union rejects the purported dissolution of the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union and imposition of a Nine-member Interim National Executive Council for two years and holds it to be unconstitutional, illegal, and void.
- That delegates at the 2020 National Conference unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the current National Executive Council of the Okpe Union led by Mr. Patrick Akpotor and extended the tenure of the current leadership for five months to enable it conduct a credible free and fair election in compliance with the Okpe Union constitution and the wishes of the majority of Okpe people.
- Delegates nominated and adopted 15 Okpe personalities to be recommended to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration as members of the Board of Trustees.
- Okpe Union members applauded the peaceful nature of all Okpe people, urging them to remain law abiding and support the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Delta State government of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
- Delegates appeal to the Federal Government to reward the Okpe people, being one of the highest oil and gas producing ethnic nationalities in the Niger-Delta.
- Delegates also appeal to the Federal Government to transform the Sapele Technical College, one of the oldest in Nigeria to a Federal University or Polytechnic to create capacity in the teeming youths of the area and generate employability.
- Delegates call on the Delta State government to complete the Delta State Polytechnic, Elume, Sapele which construction commenced during the administration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
- That Prof. Emurobome Idolor and Prof. Kenneth Eni who are the only Okpe Union members amongst the imposed Interim National Executive Council are hereby suspended indefinitely from the Okpe Union.
- The Conference nominated and adopted a five-man Electoral Committee to organize elections into the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union within five months from 14th November, 2020.
SIGNED:
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Mr. Patrick O. Akpotor Barr. Kingsley E. Akpederin
President General General Secretary
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Mrs. Roseline Atarhe Abuh
National Publicity Secretary
