Ewu Kingship Tussle: Count Me Out Of Your Inauguration – Prof. Ekpokpo
The planned inauguration by the Governor Sheriff Oborevwhori-led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP admistration in Ewu Urhobo Kingdom of Clement Ikolo has taken a new turn as Professor Arthur Ekpekpo, who is listed as the Chairman of the purported inauguration Committee said he is not part of it and should be counted out of that arrangement.
Prof. Ekpekpo, is the President General of Ewu Urhobo Kingdom and a well-respected leader in the area, he stated this in a telephone interview with our reporter, he noted that he would never be part of any attempt to impose a king on the people of the kingdom adding that the right to choose a king is absolutely that of the Ewu Urhobo kingmakers who he said has already chosen HRM Bernard Awarieta as the only king who should be inaugurated.
According to Prof. Ekpokpo, “I have told them that I won’t be part of any arrangement outside inaugurating HRM Awarieta who is the king as chosen by the kingmakers and all rites already performed according to the law and custom of the people following to the procedure as clearly stated by the Bendel State edict of 1979 as applied in Delta State.”
The people of Ewu Urhobo kingdom according to the President General are peaceful people and nothing should bring my people into turmoil.
He explained further that a case had been filed by the leadership of the kingdom against the attempt to foist a man who came distant third in the selection process on the people of the kingdom, adding, “Clement Ikolo came third in that selection process even a bracket third position, but for desperation chose to ride roughshod on the collective sensibilities of the people in the kingdom in his desire to impose himself on the kingdom. I will never be part of that.”
He called on Governor Oborevwori to put the interest of the people at heart maintaining that the only king known to Ewu Kingdom is HRM Awarieta and he alone should be issued staff of office and not Ikolo saying to do otherwise is to trample upon the tradition and culture of Ewu kingdom.
The President General added, “my plea to government is to build peace in Ewu Urhobo kingdom and not throw us into anarchy. The planned inauguration of Ikolo puts the entire kingdom in a precarious situation, and the entire area could go up in flame if the government goes ahead to inaugurate an unpopular person as King.”
