By Ozioruva Aliu

TWO groups, the Ozalla Patriotic and Elites Group and the Ozalla Youth Forum (OYF) have condemned last week’s report that the Edo State Commissioner of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Uyi Oduwa-Malaka and George Ohioma Esq have been stripped of their chieftaincy titles by the Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom in Owan West local government area, HRH Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai, The Okpamen the IX for allegedly disrespecting the throne.

The groups described the press statement signed and released by the Palace Spokesman, Dr. Osumah Obaze as politically motivated and should be recanted.

A press statement by the Elites Group signed by its president High Chief Tony Aidelojie and Secretary General Amb Adebayo Agbonifo said the group in an emergency meeting extensively discussed the issues and agreed that the statement was a “public humiliation of a serving commissioner George Ohioma, both of whom are proud indigenes of the great Ozalla kingdom.”

They said the statement credited to Osumah that the Commissioner asked the Onotare to meet her in the car never occurred as the traditional ruler was said not to be in the palace on the day of the alleged incident.

The statement also said that the spokesperson on Traditional matters to the Onotare of Ozalla kingdom is Chief Irivboa Evbodaghe and not Osumah and that official communications from the palace are signed and released by the Secretary to the Palace, Mr. Ehikioya Ujuanbi adding that the actions of Osumah undermineed the traditions and customs of the people and an embarrassment to the individuals concerned.

“It is an open knowledge that Obaze Osumah and Barr. George Ohioma have been political rivals over the years. It is therefore not impossible that Obaze used the authority of the Palace to play dirty politics and thereby desecrated the land.”

They said they would “mobilize all sons and daughters of Ozalla Kingdom to protect our sacred traditional institution before Obaze and his likes will use their antics to destroy the Community.

“That no one will be allowed to drag the Palace and our revered Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Nathaniel Igelugbo Omogbai to the mud on account of personal and political gains.

“There should be an immediate retraction of the said publication and Obaze Osumah sanctioned accordingly.

“That the so-called striping of the said titles is null and void and of no effect and therefore the said publication should be disregarded.”

On their part, the OYF in a statement signed by Azekhumen Ehizojie and Esechei Victor, the President and Secretary of the Forum said Osumah made the said press release without the consent and authority of the Onotare and or Onotare in Council.

“That it was the said Obaze Osumah who shut down the Honourable Commissioner and ordered her to sit down, that he only allowed her into the precinct of the palace because she came in company of the Speaker to the Edo State House of Assembly; Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, High Chief Anthony Aideloje and other top government officials. It was in the face of this brazing embarrassment, intimidation and harassment of the person of the Honourable Commissioner that George Ohioma Esq. stood up to her defense and requested the said Obaze Osumah to stop shouting and stretching his clenched fist toward the Honourable Commissioner in intimidation and harassment of her person.”

They also advised that Osumah be sanctioned the statement he issued be desregarded.