By Davies Iheamnachor

EVO—THERE is palpable tension at Evo Kingdom, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, following the alleged coronation at different occasions of two parallel monarchs, Chief Leslie Nyebuchi Eke and Chief Ogbonda Clinton Ogbonda as Eze Oha Evo by rival factions in the kingdom.

The latest infraction was the coronation of Chief Eke as the Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom.

Report from the area said the Woji Town Executive Committee, WTC, has rejected the installation of purported monarch, alleging that the process was hijacked by a cartel in the area.

Regent and Chairman of WTC, Chief Tony Chuku, told Niger Delta Voice that the installation and coronation of Mr. Leslie Nyebuchi Eke through the instrumentality of a factional Oro-Evo Council of Chiefs was illegal, wondering why some chiefs in the area took to lawlessness.

Chuku said the reason for his reaction was to put the records straight, as the alleged installation was a mockery of the people.

He said he was disclaiming it in the interest of peace in the kingdom and called on the law enforcement agents to call Eke to order.

His words: “The throne of Eze Oha Evo, Nyerisi Mbam Oro-Evo and Nyerisi Eli Woji (Eze Woji-Eze Gbakagbaka) is still vacant after the demise of the former King, Eze (Dr) Frank Adele Eke.

“In total contravention of the tradition of the Evo people, Chief Leslie Nyebuchi Eke and Chief Ogbonda Clinton Ogbonda had sometime declared themselves Eze Oha Evo.

“Because the installations were filled with irregularities, the entire people of Evo kingdom will not recognize them. This position is also affirmed by the CTC Chairman of Obio/Akpor, Dr Lawrence Chukwu and the former Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsaki, now AIG.

“The people of Evo reject Eke and Nyerisi Eli Woji as the Nyerisi Mbam Oro-Evo and discountenance the said installation as it is baseless and may mislead the people.”

He also reassured the people of Woji community that WTC was fully committed and determined to carry out its duties diligently and would not allow enemies of the community to throw the kingdom into crisis.

However, the Secretary, Woji Council of Chiefs, Chief Adele Ejekwu, disagreed with the regent, claiming that the selection and installation of Eze Leslie Nyebuchi Eke as the new Oha Evo III followed due process.

He said Eke went through the three preliminary stages for the Eze Oha Evo stool, adding that Chief Chuku was among the 10 of 16 chiefs that endorsed him as the new Eze Oha Evo.