Sylvester Idowu in Warri
Palpable tension has enveloped Ibrede community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State over alleged plan by the State Government to impose and install Chief Augustine Oghenejabor as the Odio-Ologbo of the kingdom.
The people, during a well-attended meeting of stakeholders, President Generals of the eight communities that made up the kingdom, held at Ibrede, vowed to resist any attempt to displace the present Odio-Ologbo by installing a new one in his place.
The community, in a resolution signed by those in attendance and made available to THISDAY yesterday insisted “That the most elderly man as stated by the gazette in Odiologbo of Ibrede Clan remains and Odio Ipoli Couple as elected stands.
“That the clan President Generals and Edios, Chiefs, Youths and other organs of clans community leadership vehemently reject the imposition of Chief Augustine Oghenejabor as the Odio-Ologbo of the clan, as no single man can change the collective decision of the people.
“We, therefore, appeal to the government and other relevant agencies to look into this resolution and act appropriately,” they urged.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, said the government does not choose a king for communities, adding that government only recognised the person chosen by the community.
“Government does not choose a king for a people because the person is not going to be the traditional ruler of Delta State; he is going to be the traditional ruler of that community. So, government does not really have anything to gain or lose as such.
“What government preaches about is that let there be peace even in a selection process, let there be peace. After selection, let there be peace. Government is not in a hurry to recognise any traditional ruler,” he said
