***Ndakara donates 1 million naira to Ebor, affirming the election as “free and fair.”
A Lagos State-based Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Mr. Friday Obaro Watemi (FCA), was elected the President of Ebor-Orogun community, the maternal hometown of the President General of Orogun kingdom, Chief Barr. Benson Ndakara, in Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA), Delta State, on December 24, 2023, in a keenly-contested but peaceful and transparent election amongst three contestants, for the next four years, in line with the constitution of Ebor Development Union, Nigeria.
Oghwoghwa Reporters reports that the election was organized under the supervision of the Orogun President General, Chief Barrister Benson Ndakara, and other community officials at the Ebor community Town Hall. Watemi scored 188 votes, surpassing his distant rival, Dr. Alex Roy-Omoni, who received 54 votes. The third position was secured by Mr. Benson Ovietobore Otoloh, with 29 votes, while one void vote was recorded.
Before the election, the three contestants were asked to present their manifesto and were subjected to grueling scrutiny and a barrage of questions by residents of the Ebor community. One such question was from Adjerese Barr. Meshach Oghene-Anuku who asked Mr. Watemi, ‘My question to you is very short and simple: In sixty seconds, summarize what you will do for Ebor if you become the President?’ “Peace, development, and progress,” he said amidst cheers from the community, indicating that he might emerge victorious.
Other elected executives include Mr. Onyewenu Dennis, who was returned unopposed as Vice President, and Mr. Festus Odiru as Secretary.
In his acceptance speech, Watemi said, “To my fellow contestants, this victory is for all of us. I will seek your guidance and tap into your wisdom, including that of the outgoing Exco. I thank Chief Benson Ndakara for taking the time to witness this election. It shows its importance to him and our traditional council. As an accountant and auditor, we will ensure proper recording and accountability to the Ebor Community. Two days before the conference, the signed audited accounts of the community will be made available to you via email.”
Meanwhile, the President General of Orogun, Chief Ndakara, in his characteristic gesture of goodwill, donated 1 million naira to Ebor community, affirming the election as free and fair. While inaugurating the new Executive Committee, he tasked them to be “honest, hardworking, and to seek to promote the interests of Ebor Development Union.”
“I am happy about the peaceful conduct of the election. I want to express my appreciation to the electoral officers for applying wisdom and integrity. There was no controversy or rigging; it was free and fair. I congratulate the President and the incoming executive committee. I also find inspiration in the President’s speech, which could be interpreted to mean that there are ‘no victors, no vanquished'”, Ndakara said.
