Isoko Development Union Berates Attack on Its Patron, Idu Amadhe

Ayodeji Ake 

The National Publicity Secretary (NPS) of the Isoko Development Union (IDU), Chief (Dr.) Jubilant Igelige, JP, has frowned upon a recent publication by Raph Egbuwoku against the respected IDU Patron, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, which has saturated social media in recent times.

Igelige stated that  ordinarily, he would have feigned ignorance to avoid “making a mountain out of a molehill.” However, the unsuspecting reading public must be properly guided to avoid the spread of false, fake, or cock-and-bull stories. “An elder does not sit at home and watch a tethered goat give birth.” It is an abomination.

“Painfully, the consistent publication against Chief Iduh Amadhe epitomises the magnitude of brewing bitterness that has cascaded across social media without civility, decorum, or recourse to libel/slander and caution. One would have imagined that in carrying out decent advocacy, investigative reporting would be the standard, rather than publishing smearing information tantamount to cyberbullying.

“First, I need to set the records straight regarding what happened when the working Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, visited Irri in Isoko South to inspect Irri Technical College. High Chief Iduh Amadhe was a former IDU President-General who later became Grand Patron of IDU. It is worthy of note that his presence in the entourage was not in a representative capacity for the IDU President-General or any other office.

“Second, Chief Iduh Amadhe is a member, Delta State Advisory & Peace Building Council, an astute politician, a recognized contractor, and a respected friend of the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. He was specifically invited because the visiting Governor was to inspect the Ozoro Market, which he built as a contractor.

“Third, there is a clear and important difference between project inspection and project commissioning. Project commissioning is the grand finale, where traditional rulers, cultural leadership, and government dignitaries gather. This was not a commissioning, but a project monitoring exercise, especially as it was said to be an unscheduled visit.”

The IDU spokesman  further reiterated that Chief Iduh, as a friend of the Governor, owes no one an apology for being seen in the Governor’s entourage.

Igelige said: ” Leadership is, indeed, about influence. His contacts, connections, and influence have assuaged several situations and yielded countless results. He stands to be corrected: no IDU Patron, living or dead, has given the magnitude of assistance he has given to IDU, in diverse forms and dimensions.”

He  stressed that the most painful aspect was the careless and callous publication of a classified letter written and endorsed by IDU’s President-General, Professor Chris Akpotu, appealing to the Governor to intervene and complete Irri Technical College. How this classified letter got to Comrade Ralph Egbuwoku is highly questionable. It is an indication that there is a dangerous mole within, as rightly confirmed by the adage: “There is no smoke without fire.” 

“Unfortunately, this unholy alliance with whoever may be concerned, targeting our Patron, is nothing but a deliberate attempt to smear the name of the Isoko Development Union — nothing more.

Igelige disclosed and affirmed that those surreptitiously feeding our brother, Mr. Ralph Egbuwoku, with half-baked information are enemies of our collective progress. “They lack the willingness and capacity to measure up to Chief Iduh. The claim that Chief Iduh is usurping the President-General’s functions is administratively petty, a figment of his imagination, and an embarrassment to our collective sensibility. Furthermore, it is not his duty to dictate how IDU should be run, because his outburst is destructive, not constructive.

While acknowledging the right to free expression, the IDU chieftain maintained that referring to a 71-year-old Patron as “the latest Dracula” in one breath, claiming his placenta is planted in IDU, and within 48 hours describing him as a proud son of Isoko land, is a display of moral and intellectual porosity. 

“It  is unfair, demeaning, and arbitrarily sarcastic. For a cultural leader to have been conferred 16 chieftaincy titles across Isoko land is a function of his acceptability, uncommon leadership prowess, and outstanding contributions to community development.

The mouthpiece of the Isoko nation averred that Chief Iduh’s name is a household name in Isoko and beyond. 

“He is a man of multifaceted talents, a compendium of wisdom, a veteran in folklore, and a mobile social influencer. I make bold to say: Chief Iduh is a great asset to Isoko and Delta State at large.

“Admittedly, no man is perfect. But for the avoidance of doubt, IDU’s stance is clear: Chief Iduh Amadhe is valued as a consummate leader and a highly respected father in Isoko nation, except by persons who hate the truth and thrive on jealousy and hatred. Therefore, requesting that the Patron allow the President-General to function fully, or suggesting that the Patron stay at home and give advice only when invited to meetings, is unruly and uncivilized. The present executive has not complained, and they have not made him a solicitor. Going forward, this incessant blackmail and attack are baseless and must stop forthwith, he added.

“Respect is the foundation of lasting leadership. On that note, there must be a permanent cure for ignorance to avoid looming disgrace. On behalf of the Isoko nation, I celebrate a cultural masterstroke, a man with many master keys, a peacemaker, and a unifier — a visionary leader of thought, who has been audacious in service to humanity and committed to nation-building. He is a passionate leader with an encyclopedia of knowledge, a veteran in native Isoko folklore, whose invaluable contributions have helped the Isoko people and nation. We will continue to appreciate him for his contributions, and may we not overheat and destroy the structures laid by our founding fathers,” he concluded.

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