The Council of elders of Samagidi- Kokori Community in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, has announced the installation of Pa Lawrence Akpotu as the new Okpakorho (Community head).
His installation, which took place at the community hall in Samagidi- Kokori on September 13th, followed a selection process according to Urhobo Native laws and Customs in which the oldest man in the community and member of the aboriginal family can assume that position.
With his emergence as the Okpakorho, Pa Akpotu will oversee the affairs of the community with the support of other Council Elders and the Executive Committee of the Community led by Ese Ode Akpotu. Other members of the Council of Elders include Pa Jacob Akpotor (Prime Minister), Dr Alfred Emasoga (Chairman), Elder Avo Emasoga, Elder Francis Ubogu Akpotu and Ochuko V. Saduwa Esq. (Secretary).
A statement by the Council noted that the installation of Pa Akpotu has put to rest the decade old struggle for the leadership of the community.
It will be recalled that the death of the last Okpakorho, Pa Lagos Agofure in 2015, led to a leadership vacuum in the oil producing community.
This caused the emergence of some persons led by one Pa Idodiemise Uchofiavworo and George Okpesiso Ovwuwudia (both now late), who proclaimed themselves Community Head and Prime Minister respectively. Both deceased persons were non natives who were tenants of the Otemu family, descendants of Otemu, the founder of the community many centuries before.
Their actions were therefore in contravention of customary laws which did not permit non natives or tenants to assume leadership positions in the community at that high level.
“Only members of the Otemu family who are the aboriginal family are the persons entitled to produce and install the Community Head and other important positions in the community,” the statement noted.
The Otemu family challenged the unlawful acts of these impostors at the Delta State High Court, Isiokolo. However, their deaths in 2022 and 2025 respectively, caused the course of action and restraining order against them to abate, paving the way for the emergence of the new leadership for the community.
