By Austin Ogwuda
A faction of Aboh community in Ndokwa East local government area of Delta State, Nigeria, loyal to the new King, His Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III, the 20th Obi of Aboh has berated the President General of the Community, Chief John Ajie Ogwu accusing him of leading protests against the emergence of the King for alleged selfish reason.
They were responding to the allegation made by Chief Ogwu, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Olise Imegwu stoutly opposing the crowning of the new King on the ground that due process was not followed. The Ogwu’s group challenged him (King Oputa) to show the world the video of his crowning and who actually placed the crown on his head on that day.
The King’s loyalists addressing newsmen in Asaba on Thursday sternly warned Ogwu and co
to desist from dabbling into matters concerning the emergence of His Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III as the 20th Obi of Aboh Kingdom.
This group of loyalists made up of the Iyasele (Traditional Prime Minister) of Aboh, High Chief Ifeanyi Odili; the Ozea of Aboh, High Chief Kenneth Odili; Ndanike of Aboh, High Chief Paul Esumei and the Isagba Ajieh of Aboh High Chief Chris Ogwu described Chief John Ajie Ogwu as a “self-styled President-General of Aboh Community”.
the Kingmakers noted that Chief Ogwu and few other individuals apparently, were not comfortable with the fact that Aboh Kingdom now have effective administration with His Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III performing his roles as the Obi of Aboh.
They said “it is very important that we thank God that Aboh is very peaceful and progressive following the formal crowning of Prince Gregory Oputa as His Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III, the 20th Obi of Aboh Kingdom in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.
“We read with dismay a veiled threat by self-styled ‘President-General of Aboh Community,’ Chief John Ajie Ogwu that there will be mayhem in Aboh should our King continue to preside over the affairs of his Kingdom.
“Chief Ogwu, it is worthy to state was suspended as the President-General of Aboh Development Union by the Aboh Tradition Council (ATC) for gross misconduct, and for working against the interest of the Kingdom long before the emergence and crowning of Obi Oputa III and since then, the suspension has not been lifted. So, Chief Ogwu cannot represent Aboh Kingdom and President-General of Aboh Community is not known to the people of Aboh Kingdom.
“First of all, the self-styled President-General acknowledged that a King has been formally crowned in Aboh Kingdom amidst jubilation by the people of Aboh, so, his wish and that of few people behind him is that the crowned King whose emergence followed age-long traditional practice and whose crowning saw Aboh sons and daughters coming from different parts of the world to witness and saw him carried shoulder high through all the quarters of Aboh with our people singing praises to God that things that will be of benefit to all the people of Aboh will get to the people of the Kingdom should step down, God forbid, that will be an abomination.
“It is worthy to note that before now, we were wondering about the sponsor of threats against Obi Oputa III and the people of Aboh Kingdom but with the statement of Chief Ogwu, our amiable Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, and all security agencies in the State and the peace-loving people of Aboh Kingdom should know who to hold responsible should there be crisis of any form in our Kingdom.
“Where has it ever been heard that someone will make his younger brother a King because he was suspended as the President-General of a community and if his younger brother fails to succeed as a King, he would make the Kingdom not to exist?
“Chief Ogwu’s prompted his younger brother, Chief Michael Ogwu to declare his intention to be the King of Aboh like few others who thought that the Kingship could be bought or gotten through threat or might but we did what was expected of us as the Kingmakers based on our tradition and crowned our Obi.
“A quick search on the internet would make it obvious that Chief Ogwu’s younger brother, Michael declared interest to be the Obi of Aboh.
“He believes that he has the money and can buy his way to the throne but we did what was expected of us and we now have a King.
“Aboh Kingdom is peaceful, Chief Mike Ogwu should know that once a King has emerged, everyone with interest to ascend the throne should jettison such ambition and support the King, he should not be seen as a threat to the King or the Kingdom, others who aspired to take over the mantle of leadership from Obi Imegwu II have since, embraced Obi Oputa III and pledged their loyalty”, the King loyalists insist.
