Ex NLC Chairman Denies Rumour of Parallel CDC In Amadi Ama Community

A former Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Rivers State, Comrade Evans Obele Olunwa, has described the alleged existence of a parallel Community Development Committee in Amadi Ama community, Port Harcourt, as false.

Olunwa claimed that he is the bonafide CDC chairman of the community, saying the rumours about the purported CDC leadership crisis in the community was a figment of some persons’ imagination.

He said he was inaugurated as the CDC chairman of the community in October 2024, and well recognized by the  state government, adding that a letter authorizing his recognition was signed by the then Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Engr. Charles Amadi.

According to him, the commissioner could not have signed for two persons to be CDC chairmen at the same time.

Olunwa said since his inauguration, he has not seen any court order or court judgement restraining him or his predecessors from parading as chairman of the Amadi Ama community Development Committee chairman.

The embattled CDC chairman who spoke with The Tide in an interview in Port Harcourt, also denied defrauding the community, stressing that since his assumption of duty, he has not received a dime on behalf of the community.

He called on his detractors to show proof that he defrauded the community.

“I’m the CDC Chairman, I’m recognised by the Rivers State Government.

“Every CDC in Rivers State is recognised by the Rivers State Government. My predecessors, I believe, they have shown you the documents through the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs.

“The Commissioner signed my own documents. The Commissioner actually would not have signed two CDC letters in Amadi Ama community

“As far as I’m concerned, I’ve not seen any court judgment against me or against any of my predecessors. No judgment.

“Let me tell you. I’m a citizen of Amadi Ama community I’m a freeborn of Amadi Ama community.

“I have my fundamental human rights given to me by my community. The regent, chiefs and elders nominated me as a CDC chairman.

“I’ve not seen any court document telling me that Evans Obele Olunwa should not parade as a chairman,” he said.

Olunwa further claimed that he was a great grandchild of one of the founders of Amadi Ama community, and sole signatory to the 1913 agreement which made Amadi Ama a part of Port Harcourt city.

Also speaking to The Tide, Barrister Solomon Iringe Koko, a chief of Amadi Ama community, said the community has no crisis as far as the issue of CDC is concerned.

He claimed that the CDC of Amadi Ama is rotational, saying that it is now the turn of Olunwa compound to produce the CDC.

Koko said the immediate past CDC chairman, Chief Okwein George Parker, comes from Amadi compound  and cannot hand over to Mr. Nelson Amadi who also comes from Amadi compound who, according to him, illegally parades himself as Chairman of Kala-Ogoloma CDC which does not exist in Amadi Ama Community.

Also speaking with our correspondent, Chief Parker who was the immediate past CDC Chairman in the community, said no court restrained either him or his successor from parading as CDC chairman.

He urged the public to discountenance any reports of a parallel CDC in Amadi Ama community.

 John Bibor