***Elders Accuse Egbo of Physical Attack, Financial Impropriety, Dishonesty
In an unprecedented move that has sent ripples across Delta State, the Abovwe family of Uduere in Ughelli North Local Government Area has formally suspended the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Chief (Barr) Jaro Omuvudu Egbo, from all family activities over allegations of gross misconduct, physical assault, and mismanagement of communal assets.
The decision was reached at an extraordinary meeting of family elders held on May 12, 2025, at the Abovwe Hall, Ekrabovwe Quarter. The gathering, which included representatives from the family’s four gates—Owhefe, Ogun, Odebor, and Erineyenre—concluded with a unanimous resolution to bar Chief Egbo from all family engagements until he clears himself of the allegations.
According to a communique jointly signed by gate leaders Pa. David Oduorere (Owhefe), Pa. Emmanuel Arhern Erhueh (Ogun), Mr. Joseph Egoide (Odebor), and Pa. Emagboro (Erineyenre), the chairman is accused of physically assaulting family elders during a confrontation in his compound on April 29, 2025.
“He remains suspended from participating in any family meeting or activity until he purges himself of his gross disrespect and disregard to the family elders whom he physically assaulted,” the elders stated.
In addition to the alleged assault, the family outlined a series of financial misconduct claims, including, occupying 11 acres of land despite purchasing only 6 acres, failing to complete an electricity extension project to Abovwe Quarter despite receiving ₦8 million over three years ago, diverting another ₦8 million from the sale of family land in Akpuvanagha.
Others include, acquiring land under the guise of building an Anglican church, which was allegedly resold for personal profit and receiving financial assistance from land proceeds during a difficult period in Abuja, which remains unpaid.
The elders further accused Chief Egbo of undermining the family’s leadership structure by allegedly threatening to remove the family chairman and attempting to usurp traditional roles.
“He has continued to intimidate and threaten the family chairman, despite not being the family head,” the statement read. “He even threatened to jail the eldest family man who opposed his actions.”
This suspension, a rare public rebuke of a sitting local government chairman by his own kin, adds to growing concerns over Egbo’s leadership style and the state of governance at the grassroots level.
The elders insisted that Chief Egbo must provide a full account of all unreturned funds, clarify his actions regarding communal assets, and demonstrate genuine remorse before any reconsideration of the suspension.
As of press time, the council chairman had yet to respond publicly. Repeated efforts to obtain his reaction were unsuccessful.
However, a close associate of Chief Egbo who spoke on condition of anonymity described the allegations as politically motivated, saying, “Corruption is fighting back. These are the same elders who have been trying to bend the community by-law for selfish reasons. The Chairman is resisting them, and now they are throwing mud.”
The unfolding situation underscores rising tensions over local governance, community leadership, and accountability in Delta State—a trend that analysts say is playing out in other parts of Nigeria as well.
