By Joe Ibuje

It is erroneous for him to assume to be the only educated Ajuwe to ascend the throne of Agbarho Kingdom in the past two and half centuries. The late HRM Ajuwe Ogheneruemu Arubi Omamohwo II who reigned in Agbarho Kingdom for twenty two (22) years, graduated from the Local Authority Modern School in 1957, he read and wrote well, which enabled him to become a member of the Delta State Traditional Council from 1992 till 2012.

HRM Onome Okpalefe III was a pioneer student of the prestigious Urhobo National College which later metamorphosed to the present Urhobo College Effurun-Warri. However, a University degree is not a criterion to ascending the throne of the Agbarho Kingdom.

It is expedient for every Christian to cherish the grace of God in whatever position they attain in life; the Apostle Paul in Rm12: 3 admonished that “For us not to think of ourselves more highly more than we ought, but rather think of ourselves with sober judgment in accordance with our faith”.

The Ajuwe kingship of the Agbarho Kingdom is not a hereditary monarchy as acclaimed by my monarch, HRM Samson Owhe Ogugu. Firstly, he cannot alone give the Chieftaincy title of Agbarho Kingdom to anybody on behalf of the “Usueches” (King Makers) and the other chiefs no matter how highly placed you are in any field of your endeavour, Hon. Solomon Awhinawhi, a son of the of the Agbarho Kingdom and a member of the House of Representative is a living witness.

Secondly, his staff of office can only be given to him after it is duly endorsed in writing by the “Usueches” (King Makers) of the Agbarho Kingdom (Declaration of Customary Law Regulating Succession to the Traditional Ruler’s title B.S.L.N 86 of 1979, applicable in Delta – State).

In the light of the above, the averment of HRM Samson Owhe Ogugu of Agbarho Kingdom as a monarchy in comparison to the UK monarchy is vexatious. Article X1 (6) of the Agbarho constitution clearly stated that “The custodian of this land (Agbarho two miles radius and acquired land) shall be the Ajuwe who holds the land in trust for the Agbarho community”.

It was agreed by the Agbarho community that the two miles radius including all acquired land shall be administered by the Agbarho Urhobo Improvement Union”       The statement clearly defines the role of the monarch and the Agbarho Urhobo Improvement Union as far as Agbarho Land issue is concern.

It is therefore unacceptable to us sons and daughters of Agbarho extraction for our new Ajuwe to publicly in the press refer to the Agbarho Kingdom oligarchy of past Ajuwes and President Generals since 1948, before he was given birth to as illiterates.

The Agbarho Kingdom is in dire need of prayers for the Almighty God’s intervention. In late January, in the process of his enthronement, a feud broke out between him and the “Usueches” (King Makers) that pronounced him “Ajuwe”,

It was the intervention of notable leaders of the kingdom that saved the situation and it is still a partial truce, because only few weeks back, the new Council of Chiefs Chairman (Chief Awala Inone) brokered another peace with the Usueshes, because the “Ajuwe” has no power to dissolve the “Usueche council.” It is unlike the Edion council and the Traditional council of chiefs which he has dissolved and replaced.

Meanwhile, the Traditional Council of Chiefs are in court with him contesting the dissolution. Now it is the Agbarho Urhobo Improvement Union that has been dissolved illegally and has gone to the High Court to seek redress.

Why the Agbarho kingdom case becomes pathetic, is that, notable names of the kingdom are fed up.

All hope is not lost on peace in Agbarho because with God all things are possible, therefore the desired peaceful atmosphere required for development will be restored to Agbarho kingdom.

• Mr. Ibuje, is the Public Relations Officer, Agbarho Urhobo Improvement Union