By Omeiza Ajayi

Sons and daughters of Ozalla kingdom under the aegis of Ozalla Patriots and Elite have declared as a nullity, the purported withdrawal of a chieftaincy title on the Edo state Commissioner for Arts, Tourism, Culture and Diaspora Affairs, Dr Uyi Oduwa-Malaka and Amb.  George Ohioma.

Describing the duo as proud indigenes of the kingdom, the community which consequently passed a vote of confidence on them said the decision was taken at an emergency meeting of held on the 19th April 2024.

A communique issued on Monday in Abuja and signed by the President of the group, High Chief Tony Aidelojie and Secretary General, Barr. Adebayo Fidelis Agnonifo said members extensively deliberated on the issues “regarding the public humiliation of a serving Commissioner in Edo State Government by one Obaze Osumah who claimed to be the Speaker to the Onotare of Ozalla kingdom as well as the unauthorized and unjust stripping of chieftaincy titles given to her and that of Amb. (Barr) George Ohioma, both of whom are proud indigenes of the great Ozalla kingdom”.

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Part of the communique reads; “Sequel to the widely circulated publication in the press and social media on the malicious, politically motivated, and unauthorized stripping of chieftaincy title of our illustrious daughter and pride of Ozalla Kingdom, Chief Dr Mrs Uyi Oduwa-Malaka and that of our Son, Barr. George Ohioma, it has become expedient to make necessary clarifications and put the records straight.

“Here are the issues: The statement credited to one Obaze Osumah that the Hon Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Chief Dr. Mrs Uyi Oduwa-Malaka asked the Onotare to meet her in the car was a figment of Obaze’s imagination, as such a scenario never occurred. The Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Nathaniel lgelugbo Omogbai, was not at the Palace on that fateful day and therefore, it is not true that the Commissioner did not pay obeisance to the Onotare on the 13th of April, 2024.

“The spokeperson on Traditional matters to the Onotare of Ozalla kingdom is Chief Irivboa Evbodaghe and not Obaze Osumah as he claimed.

“Official Communications from the Palace are signed and released by the Secretary to the Palace, Mr. Ehikioya Ujuanbi.

“The action of Obaze Osumah did not only undermine the traditions and customs of our revered community but also serves as an embarrassment to the individuals concerned, their families and the Ozalla Kingdom at large.

“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.

“It is on record that during the tenure of the immediate past Onotare, HRH Late Abraham Aikpokpo Akhigbe in whose tenure these chieftancy titles were given, Obaze osumah in one of his attacks on the Palace, locked the doors of the Palace and sent the Palace Chiefs away. It took the intervention of well-meaning Ozalla sons and daughters to resolve the matter. There is a report to that effect. Obaze Osumah is notorious for desecrating the Palace of Ozalla. Hence the need to set the records straight.

“The Ozalla Patriots and Elites hereby resolved as follows: To 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 and our revered Onotare of Ozalla Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Nathaniel lgelugbo 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.

“A Vote of Confidence was accordingly passed on Chief (Dr) UYI Oduwa-Malaka and Chief (Bar) George Ohioma for the great job they are doing in the Community and further appealed for its sustenance.

“That Ozalla Patriots and Elites will soon be engaging with the Onotare , aggrieved village heads and chiefs, other sons and daughters who have been offended by the actions of Obaze Osumah for forcefully taking and selling their farmlands.

“A town hall meeting would be held at Ozalla Town Hall to calm the frayed nerves of our illustrious sons and daughters who have been embarrassed and disappointed by the action of

Obaze Osumah”.