Union ends dispute as trustees chart new path 

The umbrella body of Ndokwa people in Delta State, Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), has survived its protracted stalemate as the Board of Trustees (BoT), leaders and stakeholders met to resolve the dispute threatening to tear the apex body apart.

An enlarged meeting on Saturday at the palace of Eze Johnson Akpati Ullu of Emu Kingdom announced in a communique a rebirth process to soothe frayed nerves and re-invigorate the union for better relevance.

The BoT got huge support from prominent sons and daughters of Ndokwa as well as affiliate associations.

BoT Secretary Chief Henry Okechukwu said ‘’it is time to restore the culture of a progressive union with its ideals and principles’’.

He noted that the meeting was called to save the union from structural defects over the years and rescue it from politicians bent on causing disaffection in NNU by imposing their will on everyone else.

The meeting appreciated the intervention of some stakeholders, who announced the appointment of a Caretaker Committee on June 11 to fill the vacuum created in the leadership.

But, according to Okechukwu, this outrage was greeted with resentment from the people, because unconstitutional as it was only the BOT could step in and take control whenever there was a vacuum in executive leadership.

Ezhie Roland Osawunta of Ezionum Kingdom praised the BoT for its resilience and efforts in building an umbrella body the people would be proud of.

The monarch of Ibedeni, who chairs Ndokwa East Traditional Council, Jonathan Kanegede, said the BoT was empowered by the constitution registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to give direction on the way forward.

Ex-Speaker of the House of Assembly Olisa Imegwu noted that the meeting saved the apex body from collapse as Ndokwa East bloc was contemplating pulling out.

Members called for the doctrine of necessity to breathe freshness into the body, mandating the Akpati Ullu-led BOT, whose tenure ought to have expired, to continue in office and midwife the birth of a new, stronger and formidable NNU.

Following the rebirth process, crucial resolutions were reached:

• That based on the constitution and CAMA 2004, the BOT should take over affairs of NNU;
• That the operating constitution of NNU is the one with CAC in Abuja;
• That individuals and past leaders should return assets and liabilities of NNU in their possession to the BOT in 21 days;
• That the BoT should put measures in place to restore order in NNU.

Present at the meeting were representatives of clans, NNU branches and affiliates, including Ukwuani Foundation Union (UFU), NNU Warri, NNU Abuja, Ndokwa Association (UK), Emu Development Association,  Ndokwa Unite Congress (NUC), Ndokwa Nation Development Forum (NNDF), represented by High Chief Dele Omenogor, Ukwuani bu Ani Eze, Ndokwa Renaissance Movement (NRM), and Ndokwa Proactive Movement.