OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Traditional Council of Chiefs of Agbarho Kingdom of Ughelli North Local Government Area has passionately appealed to the Delta state State Government as well as the Traditional Rulers Council in the State to accept the decision of the kingmakers of the kingdom for deposing HRM Samson Ogugu over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of the sacred stool.
This appeal is contained in a statement signed by the kingmakers, Chief Barr. Ibini Eriaporhe, Chief Thomas E. Akatugba, Chief Sunday Anaughe on behalf of the kingdom in apparent response to the Delta state Traditional Rulers Council’s condemnation of the action of the people of Agbarho over the deposition of HRM Samson Ogugu were they(Traditional Rulers) described the act of deposition as handiwork of individuals desecrating the traditional institution for selfish reasons.
The Kingmakers and the Traditional Council of Chiefs said that HRM William Onokpite has been installed as the Osuvie of Agbarho kingdom as a successor to the deposed king, HRM Samson Ogugu.
They called on the Delta Traditional Rulers Council and the Delta State Government to register the deposed monarch, HRM Samson Ogugu as former king of Agbarho Kimgdom and enlist HRM William Onokpite, the new monarch in the state traditional rulers council to allow him enjoy all benefits and entitlements from the state government as due him.
According to them ‘‘ for the records, the law establishing the traditional rulers edit of Agbarho Kingdom gives the right to kingmakers to depose a king who is found to be wanting after resorting to all available means. At the same time, the law gives the right to kingmakers to install the most senior kingmaker as a successor to avoid vacuum. We reaffirm our loyalty and solidarity to our new king HRM William Onokpite, the Osuvie of Agbarho kingdom’’
The Agbarho kingmakers added. “our attention have been drawn to a report in a national newspaper where it was alleged that the Traditional Rulers Council is threatening to forcefully bring back the dethroned monarch of Agarho kingdom, HRM Samson Ogugu, that is sacrilege to the kingdom. We want to first correct the wrong impression by the Delta state Traditional Rulers Council that due process was followed in the dethroning the former king of Agbarho kingdom HRM Samson Ogugu and it was not done by an individual.”
The kingmakers spoke further, ‘‘ It was a unanimous decision by the kingmakers, otherwise called (Isueches)who dethroned him on allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of the throne which is sacrilege to the ancient Agbarho kingdom. This action, by the Delta state Traditional Rulers Council is alien to the sacred traditional rulers institution in Delta state. That Agbarho Kingdom generally respects and upholds the sanctity and dignity of ancient traditional stool and the Osuvie title from time immemorial and is extended to other kingdoms.”
