Ewu Kingdom rejects announcement of Ikolo as Ovie by Delta state govt, says HRM Awarieta is true monarch

Ewu Kingdom rejects announcement of Ikolo as Ovie by Delta State govt, says HRM Awarieta is true monarch

The Ahavwa Kingmakers Council, a body responsible for crowning kings in Ewu Kingdom, Ughelli South Local Governemnt Area of Delta State, has rejected the decision by the state government that said HRM Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo is the Ovie (monarch) of Ewu Kingdom.

In a statement, the kingmakers said the Oborevwori-led adminstration erred with this announcement adding that Ikolo did not participate in the traditional ancient rites of ascending the throne of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom.

The Delta State Executive Council during its maiden meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Wednesday at Exco Chambers, Government House, Asaba, recognised Ikolo as the traditional ruler of the kingdom.

The statement said: “It will interest the general public to note that the true king crowned by the people of Ewu Kingdom His Royal Majesty Bernard Ivumevwerhaye Awarieta, the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom satisfied all the requirements as required by the laws guiding the procedures of ascending the throne and also participated in all the traditional ancient rites.

“His coronation took place at Ahavwa Kingmakers hall in Otor-Ewu duly attended by all Ewu sons and daughters both home and diaspora. He was crowned on the 30th of May, 2021 by the Ahavwa Kingmakers Council, a body saddled with the responsibility of crowning a king for the people of Ewu Kingdom.

“The people of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom through an authorized leadership communicated the activities of the kingship traditional rites that led to the coronation of HRM Bernard Awarieta, to then Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to enable him present government staff of office to HRM Bernard Awarieta.

“Enemies of Ewu progress deliberated the matter at their various political gathering and communicated lies to Governor Okowa saying HRM Bernard Awarieta is a member of APC and for that reason he should not be presented a staff of office.

“All government committees that was set up by the Delta State government submitted reports to Governor Okowa reflected on the activities that led to the coronation of HRM Bernard Awarieta to be true and in accordance with the ancient laws of crowning a king in Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom. For political reasons Governor Ifeanyi Okowa refused implementing the committee report not until Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori made an anti-people announcement on the 30th of August, 2023.

“We therefore state that the announcement made by Rt.Hon. Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori led state government falls short of the kingship ancient traditional laws of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom and the announcement made has no connection with the will of the people and as such, the announcement is tagged an anti-people decision capable of destroying the ancient kingship laws of Ewu Kingdom and the hard work carried out by the leadership of Ewu Kingdom in ensuring the will of the prevail against the political and selfish interests of individuals; We say NO to such decision.

“Ewu people promise to adequately address the issue legally should Hon. Sheriff continues with his plans of using government authority in forcing his preferred candidate Mr. Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo on Ewu people by presenting him the staff of office.

“The Delta State Government can not appoint a king for the people of Ewu-Urhobo Kingdom. It’s the traditional right of Ewu people to crown their king and communicate details of the ceremony to the state government.

“It’s therefore advised that only HRM Bernard Awarieta is qualified to be represented the government staff of office as the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom.”