The people of Okere Urhobo Kingdom of Warri in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, have chisen a new Oroseun (Ruler), Prof. Paul Okumagba.
The throne of Orosuen has been enmeshed in successor struggle following exit of His Royal Majesty, Benjamin Okumagba, the last Urosuen whose reign ended in April of 2012 when he joined his ancestors.
The move by the Council of Kingmakers marked the climax of a renewed process to pick the next Orosuen following two failed billed by Chief Kesiena Okumagba and later, Chief Christopher Okumagba to proclaim selves as Orosuen-Elect.
Chief Emmanuel Omovie had said the Orosuen-Elect would be presented to the Okere-Urhobo people at the Ejemudaro Street, Warri, Palace of the Orosuen.
According to reports the latest selection process by the four-man kingmakers council had been tilted in favour of Paul Okumagba, a Professor at the Delta State University, himself a member of the kingmakers council before resigning to contest among the six candidates enlisted for the selection.
A prominent Chief in the kingdom said, “We would not have been against the choice of Paul. He, with his academic carriage, has the aura to bring prestige to the throne, but it is not tenable for a kingmaker to be king.
“They said he resigned as kingmaker, but that status is customary and a life responsibility. You cannot resign from being an umpire to being player in this Orosuen selection game. Once a kingmaker, ever a kingmaker. His announcement smacks another call for conflict in the selection process. You will say I told”
The kingmakers council, headed by Chief Wilson Eboh, Otota (Prime Minister) of Okere Urhobo who doubles as current Regent of the kingdom, also include Chief Emmanuel Omovie (Secretary), Chief Dickson Eburu and Chief Amurun.
