Office of the Executive Chairman
Agatu Local Government Council
Benue State, Nigeria
PRESS RELEASE
The attention of the Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Hon (Amb) James Melvin Ejeh, has been drawn to the activities of one Napoleon Otache (Odaliko), who is said to be parading himself as an imaginary “chairman-elect”. Nothing could be further from the truth!
Ordinarily, I would have ignored these acts of delusion and desperation, but for their implications on truth, law, perception, as well as the general security of Agatu Local Council.
Let me state, in no unmistaken terms, that I, Hon (Amb) Melvin Ejeh, remain the duly-elected chairman of Agatu Local Government, having been so trusted with the overwhelming votes of my beloved people on Saturday, October 5, 2024.
Consequently, any person parading himself as ‘chairman-elect’ or under any other guise whatsoever is not only an impostor but one living in a daydream
It is a trite law that there cannot be two Local Government Chairmen at the same time, as the same is abhorrent to nature, offensive to common sense, and antithetical to security/order.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which is our grundnorm, provides a window of appeal, including enforcement of fundamental rights, which is encapsulated in the Latin maxim, ‘Ubi Jus Ibi Remedium’.
Conscious of that inalienable right, and aware that same is available for all aggrieved parties to explore, I have since filed an appeal against the ill fated judgement of the Benue State Local Governments Election Tribunal, which decision has continued to elicit concern among the people of Agatu – both home and in the diaspora.
An elementary knowledge of the doctrine of ‘lis pendens’ indicates that parties must respect status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of an appeal before a properly-constituted court; tribunal in this instant case.
It is, therefore, curious that a man, touted to be a lawyer, will shrug off all the afore-stated time-honoured legal principles to satisfy his inordinate/vaulting ambition of reaping where he did not sow.
In the face of the clear case of misdemeanour, I have instructed my team of lawyers to do the needful
I have also alerted relevant authorities to the threats to security and public safety inherent in the conduct and disposition of Napoleon Otache (Odaliko), whose desperation, I dare say, is unparalleled in the power-grabbing equation.
Let me also seize this opportunity to inform our good people that, by virtue of my appeal against the election tribunal’s decision, I remain the only legally recognised and legitimate Chairman of Agatu LGA
Furthermore, I undertake to serve you to the best of my ability, as I continue to implement people-oriented programmes designed to uplift the plight of the poor and vulnerable, especially women, children, and the aged.
I remain undeterred by the antics of disgruntled and failed political neophytes, who seek political power through the backdoor, as I remain irrevocably committed to delivering the dividence of democracy to the good people of Agatu
As the Executive Chairman and Chief security officer of Agatu LGA, I will not fold my arms and allow anybody, no matter how highly, or lowly placed in the society, to attempt to undermine my authority and disrupt the peace currently enjoyed in Agatu.
Accordingly, anyone found to be engaging in acts that are detrimental to security, good governance, and order will be made to face the full weight of the law.
Long live Agatu LGA; long live Benue State; long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Amb Obochi Solomon
Chief Press Secretary to Executive Chairman Of Agatu Local Government
April 21, 2025