By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Political tension has erupted in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State following the reported removal of the Supervisory Councillor for Health, Hon. Eyamu Akpotu, by the council Chairman, Hon. Jaro Egbo.
Akpotu, was reportedly replaced on Tuesday during the council’s executive meeting, a development that has stirred criticism within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and raised concerns over the harsh decision of the chairman.
Sources privy to the sack disclosed that the sacked councillor, Eyamu Akpotu, had attended the council executive meeting and took part in the opening proceedings, including the devotion and remarks by the chairman. Shortly after, the council chairman Jaro Egbo, was said to have excused the health supervisory councillor from the meeting and replaced him immediately without any formal notice or letter to that effect.
Though, the council leadership has not issued any official statement explaining the reason for his removal, but sources alleged that the decision may be linked to Hon. Akpotu’s closeness and perceived loyalty to the immediate past chairman of the council, Hon. Godwin Adode, and his alleged loyalty to the Ughelli North APC party Chairman, Hon. Lucky Ofomukoro. The allegations have intensified fears that political alignments, rather than administrative considerations, may have influenced the action.
An APC chieftain in Ughelli North, who condemned the reported removal, faulted the chairman’s decision and questioned the circumstances surrounding it. The intervention has added a fresh political dimension to the crisis, particularly amid existing rivalries among party leaders and stakeholders in Ughelli North.
However, the specific reason for Hon. Akpotu’s reported removal has not been officially confirmed, and the claims connecting the decision to his political relationships remain allegations.
Efforts to get the reaction of the council chairman through his media aide, Efe Ekete, were unsuccessful, as he could not be reached for comments at the time of filing this report, and as of press time, the Ughelli North council had also not clarified Hon. Akpotu’s status or explained the circumstances surrounding his reported replacement. The development is expected to draw further attention from political stakeholders in the area as they await an official explanation from the council leadership.
This report was filed in by our Senior Correspondent, Godwin-Maria Utuedoye. A political correspondent