Traditional rulers condemn installation of Ijaw Monarch in Edo
The traditional rulers in Edo North and Central Senatoral District have condemned in totality the installation of Pere of Olodiama in Gelegele community by the Ijaw residents in Ovia North East Local Government of the state.
The Vice chairman, Edo state Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, the Onojie of Okpoji, His Royal Highness Aidenojie Ehidiamen I, while addressing journalists on behalf of other traditional rulers at the Oba of Benin palace noted that there is only one king in Benin Kingdom which is the Oba of Benin.
” It is an abomination and sacrilegious for somebody from another kingdom in Bayesia or Delta State to come and crown a king in another man’s kingdom. We commend the wisdom the Benin Monarch use in calming down the situation,”
“It is never heard off that another person in the name of “pere” wants to claim a kingdom in the same Benin kingdom which has the Oba as the only recognised king. The Ijaws are stranger elements in Gelegele house by the Oba of Benin and there can’t be parallel king in Edo south, he said,
Furthermore, HRH said that Edo South including Ovia North East and South West local government Areas are part of the Benin kingdom, adding “that is where Gelegele is located”
” It is a misnomer for any person to address Gelegele as part of Bayelsa or Delta states. Edo state government should talk to the government of Bayelsa and Delta States to talk to their people to maintain peace and should not trespassed into Edo State,” he said.
The Monarch called on the ijaws to be law abiding and eschew any act capable of causing crisis in the state, saying that the Oba has the power to confer chieftaincy on anyone in Edo South and not the installation of another king (Pere) in his kingdom.”
HRH Ehidiamen hereby called on security agencies and the Edo state government to as a matter of urgency order the investigation and arrest of all those behind the installation and prosecute them according to the law.
“The police authority and the state government should do the needful within the law to forestall the installation or coronation of any other king in the name of “pere” within the Edo South. This amounts to abomination and is condemnable by all of us.” the traditional ruler said.
