Metro

Aboh stool crisis: Traditional council seeks support for new monarch

An appeal had gone to persons who are aggrieved over the installation of the traditional ruler of Aboh kingdom in Ndokwa east council area of Delta state, Obi (Dr) Greg Oputa111, to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign.

The Aboh traditional council, in a statement signed by the Iyasele Onowu (traditional prime minister), Leader of the council, High Chief Charles Ifeanyi Odili and the Ozeh of the Kingdom, the second-in-command to the Odua, High Chief Kenneth Odili, said efforts were on to engage the parties towards a peaceful and amicable resolution of the matter and restore peace and tranquillity in the kingdom

The council called for the immediate de-escalation of the crisis in the overall interest of all stakeholders.

Throwing more light on the installation, the council contended that His Imperial Majesty, Obi Greg Oputa 111, had fulfilled all traditional requirements before he was publicly declared and presented to the people by the kingmakers as the duly selected rightful king to the throne, adding that his emergence was heralded by wild jubilation and celebration within the length and breadth of the kingdom.

The Council, which is the apex body of chiefs, kingmakers, and elders in the kingdom, maintained that after the public proclamation of Obi Greg Oputa 111 as the 20th traditional ruler of the Aboh kingdom, he was subsequently chalked by the Odua and the oldest man in the kingdom, Thomas Ugboaku Agha, as required by the tradition and culture of the people.

The council condemned, in very strong terms, what it called ‘’increased verbal hostilities and escalation of claims and counterclaims by those who lost out in the contest’’ and urged them to retrace their steps and toe the path of peaceful resolution of the crisis.

“We appeal to all aggrieved critical stakeholders to put the past behind them and join forces with the new king to facilitate the development of the area.

“God gives power, and there could only be one king in a community at any particular point in time; there is therefore the need for supporters among the various parties to exercise restraint and shun acts inimical to the continued peace and security of the kingdom.”

The leaders cautioned against the tendency to resort to self-help by any individual or group, insisting that such an act would result in a breach of law with its attendant unpleasant consequences.

“The Aboh traditional stool being the symbol of power and authority as well as pride and dignity of the Aboh Monarch should not be denigrated by anybody, no matter how highly placed in the society,” the council leadership said.

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