BY SAM DUVWODE
THE Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme has advised traditional institutions in the state to be guided by the principle of peaceful coexistence and ensure that the process of electing a new traditional ruler is rancour-free.
Sir Onyeme gave the advise in Asaba over the weekend when members of Aboh chiefs and the children of the late King of Aboh visited him on the issues concerning the emergence of a new king for the kingdom.
According to him, “My people of Aboh, I have the permission of his Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to handle this issue so that the government can take a necessary decision on it as the case may be.
“All we do here is to promote peace in our communities. We don’t want issues to drag here and there. We want to make decisions that will be in the best interest of the community and of the State. If one portion of our state is having a crisis, the whole state is assumed to be having a crisis. So we don’t want that.
“Our governor has the interest of the people at heart, so we don’t want anything that will jeopardize the peace of the state. Therefore, I want the process of installation, selecting or electing the new Obi to be rancour-free.
“By the authority of my office as the Deputy Governor of Delta State and as the person supervising the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs, we want to plead with every one of you now that the king has been buried, the process of selecting or electing a new king should commence forthwith.
“So anybody interested in becoming a king is free to declare his intentions and do those things that it takes, and tell the people that he is interested in becoming the king. All the bona fide members of the Aboh community are free to vie for the position. Follow the process and I want it to be rancor-free.
“The other thing is that the children of the late king and traditional council-of-chiefs should hand over the Ngwu, which is the symbol of authority, to the Ojugo. They should not say because the children of the former king did so, should not be taken precedence.
“The government is watching you and if there is any breach of the process, you are free to come to me and the governor will take immediate action. So the Ngwu should be handed over immediately after this meeting.
“Another thing is that henceforth, there should be no presentation of chieftaincy or giving appointment of any kind to anybody. Such appointments should stop. That is the position of the government,” Onyeme added.
Speaking in an interview, Dr Patrick Okwaka, the representative and son of the Odua of Aboh kingdom, said they were pleased with the decision and position of the government on the issues at stake.
He commended the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme for the maturity with which the matter was handled, just as he appealed to all sons and daughters of the Aboh kingdom to follow the path of peace.
The meeting was held in the presence of the DSS, a representative of the Commissioner of Police, a representative of the Commissioner for Justice, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sir Christopher Osakwe, and Chief Buckner Ojingwu, among others.
