Isoko community crowns ex-Reps member king

T HE age-long kingship tussle over who becomes the next traditional ruler of Enhwe Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta state has been finally laid to rest.

This is because a former House of Representatives member, Engr. Anthony Efekodha, has been presented with a staff of office as the traditional ruler of Enhwe Kingdom.

Efekodha represented the Isoko South and North Federal Constituencies between 1999-2003 in the House of Representatives.

In essence, the presentation of the staff to HRM Efekodha, Ejuzi II has laid to rest tussle over the kingship stool.

It will be recalled that the Enhwe kingship stool has been bedeviled by tussle over the years such that a few individuals, who were picked for installation, were refused recognition by the government.

HRM Efekodha was picked around September after the exit of the regent who had succeeded HRM Osha who joined his ancestors about three years ago.

Delta State Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, while presenting the symbol of authority and recognition to the traditional ruler last week, urged the monarch to eschew all forms of sectionalism, favouritism, partiality and discrimination.

He emphasized the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure that the state exploited its full potential should be paramount to him, too.

Otuaro urged the Ewnhe people and all residents of various communities to support, respect and honor their traditional rulers at all time.

“I want to use this opportunity to remind His Royal Majesty that as the father of all, you are the symbol of the people’s culture, tradition and value,” he said, advising the traditional ruler to “exclude all forms of sectionalism, favouritism, partiality and discrimination from your day to day administration of the kingdom.

“With the benefit and the advantage of your background, you already know that your achievement depend largely on the quality of cooperation and understanding and good will of the generality of your people. I will count on your relentless effort to sustain peace and security of both lives and property in your domain for the good of all,” he admonished.

Otuaro reiterated the need for the people to support the monarch, saying, “cooperate with him and offer very necessary assistance and advice to enable him carry out his duties without hindrance.

The elated monarch, while responding, noted that a considerable number of kings who had administered the kingdom in the past had made frantic efforts to have a feel of the staff of office but to no avail.

“That this is happening in my time as a seating king, it’s not by my power but an act and divine intervention of Almighty God,” he said.

Scores of people of Enhwe Kingdom, amid feasting and conviviality, expressed great joy at the occasion, saying the long time jinx has been broken.