By Onome Oghenetega
The Ovie-In-Council, the apex decision making body in Idjerhe Kingdom in Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday debunked the selection and subsequent emergence of a new traditional ruler in Kingdom.
The council led by its head and regent of the kingdom, High Chief Gabriel Agoda Emeje, made the declaration on Monday at the regent palace in Jesse, the traditional headquarters of Idjerhe people, one of the largest kingdoms in Urhoboland.
Emeje also announced the deroping and expulsion of twelve chiefs who allegedly participated in the crowning of one Chief Augus Omasoro as the new king of the kingdom late Saturday night at the Central Oguedion without following the laid down process for ascension of a new king.
Some chiefs from one of the ruling houses have allegedly crowned Omasoro at about 3pm at the new monarch of Idjerhe Kingdom following the demise of His Royal Majesty, Edward Igho Otadaferua, Erhiekevwe 1, in 2018.
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The regent described the crowning of Omasoro late Saturday night as a “traditional coup” against the people and gods of Idjerhe Kingdom.
Flanked by other members of the council including Chief Atiti Willaims Gbogodo, Chief Solomon Ojariafe, Chief Ofishe Godwin, Chief John Edafeburu, Chief Samule Okoro, Chief Kingsley Evwierhurhoma, said the kingdom decided to expel the twelve chiefs including Omasoro for committing sacrilege against the revered stool of Idjerhe kingdom.
He told journalists at a press briefing that it was only the council of chiefs through the regent who can present a generally acceptable candidate to the people of kingdom as their next traditional ruler.
He stated that what took place in the late Saturday night runs afoul of the tradition and custom of Idjerhe Kingdom nay Urhobo Nation, declaring that “What happened on Saturday night was a traditional coup against Idjerhe people.”
He stated, “I am the regent and Iyesere of Idjerhe Kingdom and I want to say today being Monday, March 9, 2020 that nobody has emerged as traditional ruler of Idjerhe Kingdom. The state government and all relevant authorities should take notice and be wary of anybody parading themselves as members of Ovie-in-council or king of Idjerhe Kingdom.
“What this group of people did is sacrilegious and unprecedented in the history of this Kingdom. Therefore by the powers conferred on me as the regent and Iyesere, I hereby disrobe them of their traditional titles. They are no longer chiefs of this Kingdom and they stand banished.
“Angus Omasoro is not a king in Idjerhe Kingdom and he is also not a chief here again. Those who crowned him king are not kingmakers here, I am the regent and Iyesere and I didn’t endorse any of such acts that are sacrilegious to our norms and customs so whatever that was done on Sunday, March 8, 2020 is none and void abi nitio.”
He gave names of those de-roped of their traditional chieftanc titles and from the Idjerhe Council of Chiefs to include; Chief Augus Omasoro (who was allegedly crowned as new king), Chief Isaac Ejenavi, Chief Rapheal Ogude, Chief Otugoma Benson and Chief William Etadaferua.
Others are; Chief Stephen Ikewun, Chief Okumakpone William, Chief Sago Agbamitortor, Chief Achoja Odeweni, Chief Edojiagba, Chief Akpasa Kuku and Chief Makaba Gilbert.
