Kingmakers in Aviara Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State have been dragged before the state High Court, Asaba, for failure to install the eldest son of the late Ovie, Prince Uzuazoraro Emaviwe, as the Regent of the kingdom as the custom demanded.

Prince Emaviwe, who briefed newsmen in Asaba, on the development, cited the declaration made by the Isoko Traditional Council in respect of the Ovie of Aviara, section 3(1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law 1979: “On the demise of an Ovie, there is a three year period of interregnum during which the eldest surviving son of the late Ovie shall serve as Regent. Where there is no survivable male child of the deceased Ovie, his brother or any suitable male member of the ruling house shall serve as Regent.”

He said that there were suitable male children of the late Ovie, himself being the eldest son of the Ovie, but lamented that those in authority in the area were working at denying him of what section 3(1) of the Traditional Rulers and Chief Law 1979 has bestowed on him.

Prince Emaviwe maintained that since he believed in the rule of law and the custom of his people, he had approached the court, praying for among others, a declaration that as the eldest son of the late Ovie Emaviwe 1 of Aviara Kingdom, he is entitled to be appointed and to act as the Regent of the Kingdom for the compulsory period of the three years.