The Saniko community in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, is at daggers drawn against it’s President General, Engr. Vote Iboyi, over community funds and high handedness.

While the community leaders are saying Iboyi has been removed as President General, Engr Iboyi says his purported impeachment was illegal as those who carried out the action don’t have such powers to remove him because they were not the ones who elected him in the first place.

The prominent leaders also accused Iboyi of failing to satisfactorily explain why he had not called any meetings or held the annual community conference to account for his leadership since taking office three years ago.

The leaders were said to have queried Iboyi’s leadership during a meeting held last Monday.

Dissatisfied with his explanation and plea for more time, a follow-up meeting was convened the following day at the community town hall, where there were unanimous votes to remove Iboyi as the community president.
He was allegedly replaced with his Vice President, Mr. Anthony Obiunu, in an acting capacity.

The community also alleged that, under Iboyi’s leadership, the community had not maintained a bank account and did not have any money to the community’s credit anywhere.

It was further alleged that scholarship opportunities provided by Heritage Energy Oil Services Ltd, Umu-Gini Oil and NPDC, typically awarded based on exams, were reportedly distributed arbitrarily by Iboyi without consultation or examination for qualified students.

“Every year, Heritage Energy Oil Services Ltd and NPDC give our community scholarships both for secondary and university students, dates were normally announced for students to write qualifying exams at the community hall, after which the best students are selected and forwarded to the company, however, since Engr Iboyi took over leadership, he picks and chooses those he gives the scholarship slots to without any written exams or consulting the leaders or his executive.”

Following hours of deliberation, the community leaders, including representatives from women’s and youth groups, were said to have unanimously voted to remove Iboyi from office.

Saniko community leaders are also said to have notified companies operating in the area, including NPDC, Heritage Energy Oil Services Ltd, PIA BOT OML 30 Uherevie Trust, PIA BOT OML26, Umu-Gini Oil Company, Community Development Community (CDC) Owevwe, and others, to cease dealing with Iboyi on behalf of the community.

They said; “all correspondence should now be directed to the Acting President Mr. Anthony Obiunu and Secretary Charles Ikeneghe, pending when a new election will be held.”

In his reaction Iboyi however explained that the Saniko community has two quarters, and the quarter which he represents and who has the power to remove him are solidly behind him, warning those behind his impeachment not to take the laws into their hands to avoid a crisis that could lead to death, arson and distribution of properties.

According to him, “That is illegal impeachment, we have two quarters in Saniko community, the Uwewve quarters that are trying to impeach me are not the people that elected me.

While calling for caution, he said, “We should not instigate crisis in the community, when someone dies they can’t come back, they want to take people’s lives and burn the community.”