The leadership and stakeholders of Ugbai Quarter in Kunukunuma Federated Community in the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, have refuted claims that a sole candidate for the chairmanship of Kunukunuma has been agreed on or appointed by the quarter.

The rebuttal from the leadership and stakeholders of the quarter is coming less than 24 hours in response to an endorsement of Mr. Felix Fideseigha Ari as the preferred candidate for the community’s chairmanship allegedly by the quarter’s elders and leaders in a communiqué released and published in PENGlobal.

In a notice dated October 13, 2026, the leadership and stakeholders disclosed that in a meeting which held on August 15, 2026, to discuss the chairmanship issue, was inconclusive, and therefore disowned any contrary information published by any group or individuals without the consent of the Ugbai Quarter chairman and stakeholders.

The notice was signed by Comr. Nafami Emmanuel, Chairman of Ugbai Quarter; Chief Capt. Godfrey Numa, Mr. Mike Erebena and Mr. Ebi Gbenewei, leaders of the quarter; Mr. Peter Ogrenfa, Youth President; and women leader Mrs. Ebike Mathias Amaye.

Part of the statement reads, "We, the undersigned leadership and stakeholders of Ugbai Quarter, hereby notifying the general public as well the Ugbai Quarter that the issue concerning the chairmanship in Ugbai Quarter apportion by Kunukunuma Federated Community to produce its preferred candidate to Kunukunuma Federated Community has not been unanimously agreed.

"Therefore, any information or anybody parading himself as the sole candidate should be disregarded; also any information published by any group or persons without the consent of the Ugbai Quarter family chairman and stakeholders is of no vote of confidence," it warned.

The leadership therefore urged sons and daughters of the community as well as the general public to disregard claims by anyone presenting himself as the quarter’s sole candidate.

"Therefore, Ugbai Quarter has never arrived in any conclusion or appoint any person as the sole candidate for the position of the chairmanship. And that, the matter of the chairmanship is already at the supervision of the community leadership."

According to the statement, the Kunukunuma Federated Community's Constitution provides that if a quarter cannot agree on and present its preferred candidate, the community may take charge and appoint its preferred candidate. 

The statement further stated that the chairmanship matter was now under the supervision of the community leadership.