Chief Monday Keme, Principal Secretary to Amako-Suo (King) of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, spoke to Shola O’Neil, on his monarch and peoples perspective on the issues surrounding Warri.
On fear of fresh crisis in Warri
There will be no return to crisis. Nobody wants to relive the pain of the past. The Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo are close neighbours, and disagreements are natural, but they must be resolved peacefully.
The last crisis began with the quest for fair political representation, which was later resolved through the courts. The case went from the High Court to the Supreme Court over 11 years, and INEC is now implementing that judgment. Those who oppose it should go to court, not resort to violence. Besides, wards and being the majority in an area doesn’t guarantee victory; collaboration does.
On Recent Ijaw/Itsekiri clash in Warri over billboards
The incident was unfortunate. Billboards are just means of communication; the reaction was unnecessary. It reflects a lingering misconception that Ogbe-Ijoh people are not part of Warri.
Historically, that is false. In 1955, the colonial government divided the Warri Division into two councils – the Warri Divisional Council and the Warri Urban District Council. Ogbe-Ijoh was one of seven councils under the Division, with four electoral wards within the Urban Council. Those wards were later fragmented through political interference, erasing Ogbe-Ijoh names and creating wards like Pessu. The struggle to restore our rightful recognition has continued since then.
Governor James Ibori acknowledged Ogbe-Ijoh’s political suppression and created Community Development Committees (CDCs) to ensure representation. Under Governor Uduaghan, the CDCs were scrapped, citing high governance cost. But every administration knows Ogbe-Ijoh’s presence in Warri.
During the 1999 crisis, the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict was amended to recognize four monarchs in Warri South: the Olu of Warri, Amako-suo of Ogbe-Ijoh; Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo, and Ovie of Agbarha. The Olu of Warri challenged this in court but lost both at the High Court and Court of Appeal.
On Ogbe-Ijoh claims to Warri land
The facts are clear. The Warri Assessment Report and the Southern Nigeria Civil Service List (1910) state that Warri land originally belonged to the Ogbe-Ijoh and Urhobo. The first British land lease, dated July 30, 1906, covered 360 hectares of Ogbe-Ijoh land. The warrant chief, Dore Numa, an Itsekiri leader, only signed on Ogbe-Ijoh’s behalf as a colonial intermediary. We still have written proof of that acknowledgment.
On INEC ward delineation, outcome
It’s the most credible delineation ever conducted because it was based on verified field data and the Supreme Court ruling. I led the Ogbe-Ijoh team in Warri South, and we were allocated three and a half wards. If we had four in 1955, it’s logical that our number should increase, not decrease. The exercise is fair, but its success depends on political will to implement it.
On Argument that Demography has Change
Not significantly. Much of our land is still occupied by government. Besides, INEC is constitutionally limited to 20 wards per local government, so adjustments must be fair, not political.
On Argument over Olu of Warri title
Historically, the title was “Olu of Itsekiri.” It was changed in 1952 by the Western Region government, sparking protests from the Ijaw and Urhobo. Later, a law clarified that the Olu’s authority does not extend to Ogbe-Ijoh or other Ijaw territories. If titles were tied to geography, the proper name would be “Olu of Benin River,” since treaties with the British used that title.
Itsekiris accuse other tribes ‘Stealing’ Warri into their kingdoms
The name Warri actually comes from the Ijaw word Wari, meaning “house.” When the British established their administrative base there, the name stuck. The Delta State Traditional Rulers Law recognizes Itsekiri as a kingdom, not Warri, just as Urhobo and Ijaw kingdoms are named after their communities.
On Solution to crisis in Warri
Peace depends on justice. INEC must be allowed to complete its work without interference. Majority alone doesn’t guarantee leadership; cooperation does. The new delineation reflects realities on the ground — 14 wards for the Ijaw and five for the Itsekiri in Warri South-West. The government must sustain peace, assure investors, and treat every ethnic group with fairness.
Following the recent upheaval in Warri, Delta State, the Itsekiri people have called on the Pere Ama-Okosu of Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom, HRM Monbene III, to restrain his subjects and other supporters from causing more mayhem in the area.
The Itsekiri people through the Warri Traditional Council of Chiefs, described the events as an illegal attempt to extend the Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom’s territory into Warri South Local Government Area (LGA), a move they claim has already led to bloodshed and property destruction.
Speaking at a briefing at the Olu of Warri’s palace on Saturday, the Chiefs alleged that a recent midnight armed assault on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in Pessu Community left vigilante leader, Dele Ogunbayo dead, with the attackers allegedly escorted by military personnel linked to a private firm owned by an ex-militant.
Chief Mene Brown, flanked by other Chiefs of the kingdom, while reading the statement to reporters, alleged that the Ogbe-Ijoh monarch was attempting to assert sovereignty over Warri South by force and stealth.
This latest escalation is part of a long-standing boundary dispute between the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic groups.
The Itsekiris insisted that legal rulings, including a landmark 2024 decision in W/147/2020 HRM Amaokosu Mobene vs. the Governor of Delta State, have affirmed their rightful claim to the disputed areas.
Despite this, they accused the Ogbe-Ijoh people of continuing to lay claims to Warri South, evidenced by the erection of signposts and banners proclaiming their domain across local government boundaries.
The statement alleged that military operatives escorting the attackers of the vigilante leader wore uniforms linked to the said private security firm.
It stated that the military initially denied involvement. But a later published statement on September 19, signed by Captain Iliyasu Bawa-Rijau, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, acknowledged the operation.
The Itsekiri leaders further warned the Delta State Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against redrawing electoral boundaries based on what they described as illegal land occupations.
They cited attempts by the Ijaws to legitimize their presence in government residential areas (GRA) under the guise of community expansion.
The statement said: “There is no such place as Bolou-Ama or Smooth Community in Warri South. These are fabrications meant to forcibly rewrite history and law,” Mene said, referring to proposed ward creation in “illegally” occupied areas.
The Chiefs further demanded the immediate removal of all Ogbe-Ijoh monarch banners from Warri South, a judicial panel of inquiry by the Delta State Government, full investigation by federal security agencies, among others.
Parts of the demands read: “That His Majesty, forthwith, causes to be removed, all the said banners and billboards mounted in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria same being outside the reign of His Majesty by the judgment of the Lower Court that His Majesty has appealed against.
“That His Majesty forthwith, restrains the indigenes and people of Ogbe-Ijoh community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, including other Ijaws who are within and outside Warri and environs who are either tenants or illegally resident in the particular area of this crisis from any further acts of hooliganism and harassment of the Itsekiri people.
“That His Majesty forthwith, causes the cessation of all further threats to kill more people if His Majesty’s domain is not extended beyond what the trial court has decided.
“That the State Government should set up a Panel of Inquiry to investigate this matter and rescind its immediate statement to the effect of politicking the issue.
“That the Inspector General of Police should immediately conduct a thorough investigationinto the incidence.”
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori while at a function in Warri, Friday, said he will not speak on the matter and urged all parties to peacefully coexist.
Photo shows Chief Brown Mene, flanked by Chief Gabriel Awala (r), Chief Robinson Ariyo (l) and other Chiefs of Warri Kingdom during the press conference.
Angry Ijaw youths and women on Tuesday staged a protest in Warri, Delta State, over the removal of posters and billboards announcing the coronation anniversary of the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Mobene III.
The banners, mounted along the Miller Waterside and Warri South secretariat axis of the Warri–Sapele Road, were allegedly pulled down by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in connivance with some Itsekiri youths.
Videos circulating on social media showed some of the displaced banners packed inside a Sienna vehicle bearing police markings.
In one of the clips, a man alleged that the Ogbe-Ijoh people were being oppressed on their land and called for urgent government intervention.
The posters reportedly described Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom as being located in both Warri South-West and Warri South LGAs, a claim that angered Itsekiri youths, who argued that the Ijaws have no land in Warri South.
In a video posted on Facebook, the Itsekiri youths described the posters as provocative and urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to caution the Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh, insisting that celebrations should be restricted to Warri South-West.
Delta Police Command spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the protest but noted that both groups are in a peace meeting with the Area Commander.
“I can confirm that there was a protest. I can also confirm that the two factions are finally meeting with the Area Commander for a peace meeting. I think the reason for the protest has nothing to do with the banner; it’s just between themselves. But after the meeting, we will get the full details of what transpired,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Warri South Council, led by Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
The people of Aladja and Ogbe-Ijoh communities in Udu and Warri Southwest local governments of Delta State have sued for peace.
But the leadership of Ogbe-Ijoh decried the slow approach of government to end the crisis.
The people of Aladja yesterday organised a peace rally, asking for resolution of the crisis.
Both communities have lost loved ones. Two died on Wednesday morning, with many injured. Belongings were destroyed.
Speaking to The Nation on phone in Warri, a leader in Ogbe-Ijoh, who is principal secretary to the Pere, Chief Monday Keme, said the community recorded great losses.
He said the community had been cut off, as its access road had been closed for two years; the area also had no access to the national grid.
Keme said: “We are not happy with the manner the government is going about this conflict. It has set up a commission of enquiry. A report has been submitted to the governor and the government has done nothing.
“For two years the access road to Ogbe-Ijoh has been closed. The government has done nothing about this. Since March 24, 2016 when the crisis started, the community has been disconnected from the national grid. For two years, there’s been no light at Ogbe-Ijoh and the government has done nothing about it.
“The most painful aspect is that the so-called boundary dispute they are talking about was legislated upon years ago. This is the only boundary law we have in force in Delta State.
Ogbe-Ijoh people are not happy about the way the government has handled this issue. They are pushing us to the wall. By the time we retaliate, nobody should blame us.”
Two days after losing two persons in an alleged attack by Ogbe-Ijoh, Aladja indigenes yesterday protested peacefully.
Comprising elders and youths in traditional attires, the people chanted songs as they carried green leaves signifying peace.
The eldest man in the community, Pa Abel Esiefarhienrhe, prayed for peace and resolution of the crisis.
He advised youths to be law-abiding.
A House of Representatives aspirant in Ughelli North, South and Udu, Akpokona Omafuaire, advised the government to end the crisis.
He spoke yesterday following renewed hostility, which led to injuries on both sides.
Omafuaire said: “The government has made efforts to resolve this crisis. It must take a step to end this unnecessary bloodletting. The report of the committee must be signed into a law. The government must take a decisive action. Enough is enough.”
He appealed to the warring communities to embrace peace, as the killings had brought nobody any good, but pains and deaths.
Omafuaire implored the House of Assembly to look into the matter and make a law to resolve the crisis.
Four people were injured yesterday and four houses burnt down at Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja in Delta State. The incident occurred less than 24 hours after the government met community leaders.
Youth leaders from the communities, who spoke to The Nation, accused one another of causing the violence.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday, met security chiefs and community leaders from Gbaramatu and Ogbe-Ijoh kingdoms, both in Warri Southwest Local Government, as well as those of Aladja community in Udu council. The communities promised to sheathe their swords.
But Ijaw youths from Ogbe-Ijoh yesterday morning allegedly stormed the outer flanks of their neighbouring Aladja community, shooting sporadically and torching houses. Aladja is an Urhobo community in Udu kingdom.
While Wisdom Onotomre, Youth president of Aladja, claimed the attack on his community, about 5 a.m., was unprovoked, his counterpart at Ogbe-Ijoh, Edwin Aken, said the violence was caused by an earlier attack by Aladja indigenes in which two persons were allegedly injured.
He said: “The Ogbe-Ijoh people came to wake us up this morning, about 5 a.m., They attacked us. Two of my boys sustained gunshot injuries. The people set ablaze four houses.”
When asked what caused the fight, Onatomre said: “Nothing caused this one. We were sleeping when we heard gunshots.”
Aken said the attack was provoked by an earlier one in which the Aladja attackers left two persons injured.
Said he: “If they say Ogbe-Ijoh people attacked them, that is a lie. They attacked Ogbe-Ijoh, about 6:15 a.m. They came to attack and definitely nobody will fold his arms and watch them kill him. It was a retaliation to what they did. Ogbe-Ijoh people didn’t just attack them; they attacked us first.”
Police spokesman Andrew Aniamaka confirmed the incident, and said investigation was on.
The Governing Council of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Clan in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State has urged the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) as well as Urhobo monarchs to resolve the recent crisis between Ijaw communities and Aladja in Udu Local Government Area.
In a statement yesterday by its chairman, Alex Akemetubo, the governing council alluded to recent reports tagging Isaba as a sub-community in Ogbe-Ijoh Clan and Ayama as sub-community in Aladja community.
The statement said: “The Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Clan Governing Council has just read the report in The Nation of Friday, November 11, where the paper reported an alleged clash between youths of Isaba, which they referred to as a sub-community in Ogbe-Ijoh Clan and Ayama, a sub-community in Aladja community. The impression created by the report was that the inter-communal clash between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja led to the crisis and the loss of life.
“In order to set the records straight, we wish to state as follows: Isaba is not a community under Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom. Isaba is a separate and distinct Ijaw Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State with a gazzetted and recognised traditional ruler, the Pere of Isaba Kingdom, Pere Donokoromor.
“Ayama, as the name implies, is a community under Isaba Kingdom and not Aladja Community.
The Isaba and Aladja people have also had historical land disputes. The disputes have been in court for decades and Isaba people won the case at the High Court and Court of Appeal; now, the matter is at the Supreme Court.
“The impression being created by Aladja people that Isaba is a sub-community in Ogbe-Ijoh is a deliberate attempt to seek sympathy from other Urhobo to set the machineries for an inter-ethnic clash between the Ijaw and the Urhobo. Aladja indigenes have been looking for an opportunity to extend the land dispute between Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja to a crisis between Ijaw and Urhobo.”
It urged UPU and Urhobo Traditional Rulers to call Aladja residents to order, adding that there was need for ethnic nationalities to work together to develop the state.
The statement added: “We call on the leadership of the Urhobo nation, especially the UPU and the Urhobo Traditional Rulers, led by the Orodje of Okpe, to call Aladja people to order. What is required in Delta State and all over Niger Delta is for the different ethnic groups to work together towards the development of the communities, states and the region.”
The Delta State Government has ratified a recent agreement banning the collection of levies and other taxes at the Ogbe-Ijoh Market in Warri South Local Government Area.
The government also stopped the building of structures in the market to avert further breach of the peace and a breakdown of law and order.
Two weeks ago, there was a threat to peace in the market when youths from Agbasa community (Urhobo) and those from Ogbe-Ijoh community (Ijaw) engaged in a gun duel over the ownership of the market and levy collection.
But at a peace meeting at the weekend convened by the government and the police to mediate between the warring sides, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa urged both sides to embrace peace.
The governor said his administration would be able to provide the enabling environment for growth and development when the people embraced peace.
Okowa, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Ovie Agas, said there was no need to fight over lands because such constitutionally belong to the state.
He pledged to give adequate attention to the market crisis.
Okowas advised the warring parties to abide by an earlier agreement, which was midwifed by the Commander of the Warri Area Command of the Delta State Police Command, Mohammed Muazu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
Under the pact, both sides pledged to desist from levy collection and building of new structures.
He said: “This agreement signed prior to now should be strictly adhered to; no temporary or permanent structures should be built in the market until the matter is resolved. Levies or taxes or whatever name you call any money being demanded, should be stopped until the government takes a position on this matter…”
There was jubilation in Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri Southwest Local Government Area of Delta State last weekend, as the state government presented staff of office to the traditional ruler, Pere Couple Mackson Oromoni, Amakosu Monbene III, as 12th Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.
The ceremony, which was performed by the state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, was the culmination of a rigorous selection process and fractious contest by aspirants to the throne.
Couple Oromoni, who is the pioneer chairman of Warri Southwest LGA, emerged the 12th Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh, following his selection by the kingmakers to succeed the late Amakosu Oduwor III, who died in 2013. He thereafter adopted the title, Pere Monbene III.
With his presentation with the staff of office by the state government on Friday, he scaled the last hurdle to his ascension to the throne.
Governor Okowa, who was represented by his deputy, Dcn Kingsley Otuaro, a lawyer, urged the monarch and other traditional rulers in the region to treat their people fairly.
He said, “As the custodian of the tradition of your people, it is important that you do not, in words or action, give any cause to your subjects to doubt your ability to uphold the sanctity of their customs.
“I sincerely appeal to you to imbibe the democratic norms of dialogue and consultation in all your dealings with the people.”
Otuaro, who was accused by the defeated aspirant of meddling in the selection process of the Pere, stated that “It is statutory for the State Government to present Staff of Office to traditional ruler after due installation and endorsement by his people according to the Laws of Delta State.
“This event is in compliance with the statute and an endorsement of the peaceful manner, the whole process of this ascension has taken”.
Speaking on the protracted crisis between the Ogbe-Ijoh and Aladja people in Udu LGA, the Otuaro assured that the government was working out an amicable and workable lasting solution to the crisis.
“We are doing our very best to bring the boundary issue between Ogbe-Ijoh people and Aladja community to an end”, he said.
Earlier in his address, the Fie-Owei (Spokesperson) of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Chief Favour Izoukumor, had appealed to the state government to resolve the boundary dispute in order to ensure peaceful coexistence between the two communities.
Nevertheless, he expressed delight at the peaceful conduct of the presentation of staff of office to the Ogbe-Ijoh monarch and commended the state government for its neutrality in the process and the courage in doing what was right for the people, peace and stability of the kingdom.
“I am so much delighted for your (Okowa’s) courage and resilience you exhibited on the event of official presentation of staff of office to HRM Mobene II. I want to unequivocally state that this peaceful event wouldn’t have been possible without your inputs and your timeless love for the people of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.
“I have no doubt in my mind that these your acts which resulted in the peaceful presentation of staff of office will definitely go down in the annals of the history of our Kingdom and it will be forever memorable for all the sons and daughters of the present generation and generations to come.”
Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom in Delta State has been in the news following the enthronement of a monarch (Amakosu). The choice of the pioneer chairman of Warri South West Local Government Area, Couple Oromoni as Pere Amakosu, Monbene III, although widely accepted by the people of the kingdom, the 12th Ogbe-Ijoh monarch’s coronation has ruffled some feathers and generated controversies that have taken key players through the Delta State Police Command to Zone ‘5’, law courts and government circles. Southsouth Regional Editor Shola O’Neil examines the issues, the key players and the politics of dragging in the deputy governor.
Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom is a strategic kingdom in Delta State, with some of its communities seating atop huge oil and gas reserves. They host multibillion dollars oil installations and facilities of multinationals operating in the region.
The traditional ruler of the Ijaw people is known as the Pere Amakosu (‘Oldest Man’) of the kingdom, which is divided into six villages (or quarters) comprising Arontegha, Perebiri, Ikiandumu, Oturubiri, Lotiobiri and Tambiri. The quarters are founded by children of Ewein, ancestor and founder of the Ogbe-Ijoh.
Niger Delta Report gathered that only five quarters are considered ruling houses in Ogbe-Ijoh, while Tambiri, which is crowning house, is exempted from producing a traditional ruler, but restricted to the process leading to enthronement of a monarch after also announcing the demise of a former king.
•The late Pere
The former monarch, the 11th to rule the kingdom, Amakosu Oduwor III died sometime in 2013, and the formal announcement of his death was made by the spokesperson (Fie-Owei) of the kingdom, Chief Favour O Izoukumor, at an emotional ceremony held at the Ewein Hall, Ogbe-Ijoh, on February 15, 2013.
The announcement paved the way for burial rites, which were rounded up on May 31, 2014.
At the conclusion of the rites, the search for a new monarch began in earnest. Our findings revealed that the selection of a new Amakosu was backed by the Bendel State Gazette of 1979, which rotates the stool among the five houses.
“Having produced our late monarch, the Oduwor III, who was the third in his lineage from the Arontegha House, the stool moved to Perebiri, which is the next in the succession line,” a member of the traditional council told our reporter.
It was further gathered that within the Perebiri quarter, there are three families among which the stool also rotates when it is their turn to produce the king. They are Apribodoware, Biseboware and Ejiware.
The gazette states in Paragraph 3: “To qualify, a candidate must trace his decent to the village whose turn it is to present a candidate. He must be a male adult; free from any contagious disease and serious physical deformity; he must not be a lunatic or an ex-convict.”
Continuing, the document noted that “Should a village fail to produce a suitable candidate within a month of its being called upon to do so, succession passes to the appropriate village next entitled and so on until a suitable candidate is selected.
However, for the successor to the Oduwor III, Perebiri had suitable candidates in abundance and they were all willing to take up the responsibility.
Those who stood up for the contest were former Interim Chairman of the council, Mr David Pere; his predecessor in the office, Mr Couple Marcson Oromoni and influential businessman, Mr Johnny Aribogha, all of whom the kingdom and their quarter viewed as immensely qualified.
Although the three men were titleholders of the kingdom before their quest to become Pere, it was learnt that in line with the Ogbe-Ijoh tradition that only non-chiefs can aspire to the throne, they were forced to renounce their chieftaincy titles and join the fray as ordinary citizens.
“That is how it has always been; any man who indicates interest to contest must first drop his title because chiefs cannot aspire to become Pere in the kingdom. Every kingdom has its own unique rules and that is one of ours,” a former Chairman of Ogbe-Ijoh Governing Council, Mr Samson Oyinmi, told our reporter.
Independent investigation by Niger Delta Report revealed that among the three candidates, a consensus was supposed to emerge, in order for their village to take his name to the traditional authorities as their choice. But the Perebiri quarter could not reach an agreement as each of the trio insisted on testing their popularity before the larger clan.
Confirming this report, Chief Izoukumor told our reporter: “The families could not produce a single candidate; they couldn’t reach a consensus. If they had done that, they would have presented him to the committee for screening to confirm his suitability for the position. But having failed, the matter was taken from the hands and became an affair for the kingdom.”
The inability of the quarters to reach a consensus on the trio set the stage for the drama, intrigue that would later bedevil the process and emergence of Monbene III.
Indications that the process may not go as plan first emerged when rumour made the round that some candidates were throwing money around in a desperate bid to corrupt the process.
While some notable leaders were reportedly being courted with huge sums of money, others were reported offered outboard engines (for speedboats) and these cost between N600,000 to N700,000.
Before the committee that was headed by Elder Anthony Jolomi Okosu, was set up, the Ogbe-Ijoh Governing Council, the administrative structure of the clan, was forced to debunk a report that Aribogha had emerged as the Pere of the kingdom, after a section of his quarter went to the reporters about his choice.
There was a counter response to the OGC position through a paid advertorial in a national daily, signed by Chief Alfred Yola, the Chairman of Perebiri Quarter (Village). The signatories said they “emphatically and unequivocally state that the announcement in respect of the selection of Chief Johnny Aribogha as Pere ofo Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom followed due process as prescribed by the law.”
The position of Chief Yola, who many in the kingdom believe was acting the script of Aribougha, set the stage for a long drawn battle and intrigues.
In spite of the development, the Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom commenced a process to select a new monarch from the three candidates in the race. Various sources said a 15-man committee, comprising representatives from the five quarters in the kingdom, to form a sort of election committee, which Elder Okosu headed as Warokosuwei (oldest man, not by age, but by his position).
It was further gathered that the candidates were requested to obtain an ‘Expression of Interest’ form. Although the cost of the form could not be independently confirmed, various sources said the Pere, Aribogha and Oromoni paid for it and were screened.
Elder Okosu confirmed that the trio purchased the form, were screened and voluntarily signed a bond to be of good conduct during the election process as well as to abide by the voice of the 15 ‘Wise men’. To show their commitment, they also proceeded to a court to take an oath.
He said, “The three candidates were screened and they all scaled through. The committee too could not decide on whom to select, as there was no consensus, even among us. This led us to the process of conduction an election, which we decided should be done in a secret ballot format.
“We produced the ballot papers and on the day of the election, we shared it to members, who wrote their names, signed and went to a secret location to tick the name of the candidate of their choice after the process had been extensively explained to everybody. We insisted that no member should see the other when they are voting, to ensure the sanctity of the exercise.”
Explaining further, the ad-hoc committee chairman explained that after voting for the candidate of their choices, the electorates were required to staple the paper and sign their signatures on it as a further security against tampering.
After the election, it was learnt that the result could not be announced because the monarch-elect would have to be presented to the kingdom at an enlarged assembly of all members of the kingdom.
“We took the materials to the house of the Regent, Chief Samson Mamamu, but he insisted that we took it to the bank for safekeeping. As a result, we took it to the bank (an old generation bank) where the materials and the sealed ballot box were kept.”
About a week later, the general assembly of Ewein Congress convened at the town hall on May 19. The three contestants, their families and other members of the kingdom waited with anticipation to find out who their new monarchs would be.
Elder Okosu, accompanied by a retinue of other community leaders and security agents went to the bank, where the ballot box was retrieved from the vault where it was cooling since the voting was done.
Interestingly, all the candidates, including Aribougha, who had been touted as the Pere-elect over four months earlier, participated in the election and reported for the announcement of the result.
Our reporter, Bolaji Ogundele, covered that event, disclosed that the process “followed a rigorous process, which ensured to lay guidelines meant to forestall controversies”, adding, “They also signed a legal oath and agreed that none of them would object to the genuineness of the process and that they would not challenge the outcome of the selection in any court or publish any comment discrediting or challenging the outcome.”
He said the Chairman of the Selection/Succession Committee, which decided the fate of the contestants, Elder Anthony Jolomi, said their procedure considered the personalities of the three men, “taking particular notice of their contributions to the development of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and their everyday life style.”
Nevertheless, indications that Aribougha would challenge the process emerged when he walked out during the announcement of the outcome of the contest. Leaders of the community told our reporter that he made his move when it became obvious that he had been outscored by the new monarch.
Indeed, at the end of the counting, Aribougha and Pere scored two votes each, while Oromoni polled eight votes and was declared winner; three members of the 15-man committee abstained.
But in a telephone interview with our reporter on Tuesday, Aribougha described the emergence of Oromoni as Monbene III as null and void, adding that the processes that produced him were flawed.
He said, “Nobody has elected anybody, there is a matter in court and injunction that nobody should do anything. These guys forced themselves and did whatever they did. Whatever has been done is illegal, against the rule of law, the court will decide.”
The Ogbe-Ijoh leader, who would not be drawn into debate on why he participated in the “illegal process”, hinged his grouse with it on the 1979 Gazette. He said the gazette does not recognize the position of Chief Mamamu as a regent or the selection of the committee, which conducted the election in which he participated.
He went further to accuse a section of the community leadership of using their “connection” to pollute the process, insisting, “Whatever is happening now is against the rule of law.
When asked why he participated in the process, he said, “That body is an illegal body, get in touch with the gazette; there ought not to be anybody like a regent, or whatever happened – read the gazette. Every other thing will be interpreted in court. Whoever has forced himself with the support of anybody in government, when the court resumes, the legal issues will continue.”
Aribougha particularly lamented that the kingdom went ahead to crown the monarch without recourse to a subsisting court injunction, which he said would first be revisited before the main case, which is slated for hearing in November, as soon as the court resumes from vacation fully.
However, counsel to the kingdom, Larry Ovwromoh Esq, Principal Partner at Larry Ovwromoh & Associates, told our reporter that his clients did nothing wrong, explaining that the relief sought by the petitioners does not include stopping Oromoni from being crowned in the real case.
On the interim injunction, although Ovwromoh was cautious on commenting on the pending matter, explained that the interim (ex-parte) injunction, which was granted by a vacation judge, was effective for seven days.
A another legal source and member of Ogbe-Ijoh community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the case instituted by those opposing the monarch was targeted at a committee, which ceased to exist as soon as the monarch-elect was named. Our source further disclosed that contrary to insinuation, the Regent, Chief Mamamu was not the crowning authority in the kingdom as was being insinuated.
“The injunction, be it as it may, was that the committee should not swear-in anybody, however, like I have said before, the committee does not swear-in, it only screens and conduct the process, after that, it becomes extinct. So, I don’t know why they are suing a nonexistent committee.
Our finding also revealed that before the matter went to the court, it had gone through the whole hog of the civil police. Petitions flew ceaselessly into the Warri Area Command, then moved to the Commissioner of Police Office in Asaba, the state capital and thereafter to the Assistant Inspector General of Police’s office in Zone 5, Benin City, Edo State.
Beyond the security agencies, the Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, was forced to defend himself, after the Chief Yola group, accused him of facilitating the enthronement of Oromoni through the use of security operates.
They said the deputy governor “sent over 200 of his policemen and aides to Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom…against the court directive”.
The claim forced a stern riposte from Otuaro, who spoke through Mr Bulou Kosin, his media aide. He said, “The Deputy is in no way party to the alleged selection/appointment of Chief Couple Oromoni, or anybody for that matter, as Pere (King) of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom, against a subsisting court order as claimed in recent media reports.
“As leaders believed to be respectable, Chief Alfred Yola and Sele Banni and their sponsors, ought to have done the responsible thing by initiating contempt proceedings in court against whoever may have defied such court order, instead of resorting to hurling unsubstantiated allegations, sentiments and blackmail at the Deputy Governor.
“Despite insults hurled at him, the Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, wishes to appeal to the generally good people of Ogbe-Ijoh-Warri Kingdom to embrace peace necessary for the enjoyment of democratic dividends under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s SMART agenda of prosperity for all Deltans,” he added.
Besides, the political jibes, keen watchers of the unfolding drama, see bringing in the deputy governor into the fray as a ploy Aribougha/Yola group to put him in the defence.
“As you know, the office of the Deputy Governor is responsible for kingship matters. This is probably a strategy to ensure that he does not recognize the new king as a last ditch effort by those against Amokosu Monbene III.”
The position is shared by OGC, in a statement by its chairman, Mr Lucky Oromoni and and secretary, Mr Elvis Wurusibewei, and the kingdom chapter of the Ijaw Youth Council, who exonerated the deputy governor.
On his part, the spokesperson of the kingdom, Chief Izoukumor, said, “The entire kingdom is excited about the emergence of Monbene II, apart from a few persons who are acting in desperation. The influx of visitors from within and outside the kingdom on homage and solidarity visit is a clear attestation to his popularity and acceptance. Our neighbours from Aladja, Gbaramatu and others have all come to feciliate with us.”
On the interim, the two sides are warming up for the commencement of the legal firework in a about a month’s time.
For one week, the chiefs and people of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom in Warri South-West Council Area of Delta State turned out in their best to bid their late king, Pere Amakosu, the Oduwor III, farewell. SHOLA O’NEIL and BOLAJI OGUNDELE chronicle the elaborate ceremonies that attended the monarch’s funeral
He was their chief; the first to be named when names are to be called among their kind. They revered him while he was still among them. He led them for over four decades, during which he became the longest reigning monarch in the state. It was therefore no wonder that his people spared no expenses when the time came to accord him their last respect.
They are the Ogbe-Ijoh people, one of the Ijaw clans in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State. For the seven days the burial rites lasted, they came from far and wide, left their businesses and gave all to bid the Pere Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijaw/Warri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, King Israel Sele Sokoh Gbenebode, Oduwor III, a final goodbye.
To honour the passage of the late king, the council of chiefs and people of Ogbe-Ijoh, lined out a number of activities, spanning a whole week, and involving participants from home and abroad. Having led the people for almost forty years -1974 to 2012- and participated in the larger political affairs of his state, right from the defunct Midwest (Bendel) state to the current Delta State, the Pere was not the sort of traditional ruler who would be allowed to just go home without a bang that would reverberate throughout the Niger Delta.
The events of his final journey to join his ancestors were led by the Regent of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, Chief (Dr) Samson Mamamu; they were carefully planned and executed with the sort of pageantry befitting a true royalty that he was.
The ceremony was flagged off on May 24 with the traditional wake-keeping (Duwei Deinkoru). The rarely seen Ogbolomo masquerades, which only perform in honour of revered personalities, as monarch and those who reached a very ripe age as Pere Amakosu did, came out. They defied the sun and scourging heat as they performed for several hours. When night fell, the elders and spiritual leaders of the kingdom took over to perform Igodo (traditional cleansing) ceremony.
As a predominantly Christian clan, an interdenominational church service was held in the town on Sunday, 25th May; it combined all but a few churches Ogbe-Ijoh. The service was followed on the third day by colourful dance troupes from the various quarters of the kingdom. Dancers from Egrangbene, Orugbene, Ijansa, Kenlogbene and Oyangbene took turns to perform all day long into the night. Their songs and dances were not mournful, rather, it was salutary to legacies and achievements of a monarch, during whose time on the throne Ogbe-Ijoh was made the headquarters of oil-rich Warri SouthWest local council.
On the fourth day, the ceremony crossed the creeks into Warri metropolis for a couple of events. First, there was the Pere Ogele; a long procession by sons and daughters of the kingdom from the Catholic Church down to the Ogbe-Ijoh Market, through the NPA area. The procession was capped with a boat regatta in Warri.
The rest part of the day was occupied by some more Ogbe-Ijoh sub-communities, performing dances; Wilikigbene, Bomobolou, Arotenghan, Odidi and some Warri town corner communities.
Wednesday last week saw the visit of traditional rulers from other towns and communities paying their last respect to the memory of their departed royal colleague, who was one of the longest serving monarchs in the state. More than 25 royal fathers from different parts of the state, made their way to Ogbe-Ijoh to bid a colleague farewell. The train include His Royal Majesty, Pere Charles Ayemi Botu (JP) OFR, paramount ruler of Seimbiri Kingdom; the Owhorode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ovie Ogoni-Oghoro1, JP; Agadagba of Egbema, His Royal Majesty Benipere III; HRM Joseph Timiyan (JP), Pere of Ogulagha Kingdom and HRM S.O Akemetubo (JP) The Ebenanaowei of Obotebe Kingdom. Others were E.B.O Delekpe, Owhorue (JP) Ovie of Udu Kingdom; Pere of Akugbene Mein V11 Pere Kalanama V111 (JP).
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Owhorode of Olomu Kongdom, HRM, Ovie Ogoni-Oghoro 1, (JP) poured encomium on the late king, describing him as a father indeed. He said the late Pere of Ogbe-Ijoh was a peaceful and hardworking traditional ruler who believed in team work and spirit of unity among his subjects and neigbhouring kingdoms in the state.
“We have lost a colleague who was like our father. He was a peaceful and industrious ruler who was the oldest traditional ruler in the state on the throne for 40 years. He held various offices in the Delta state traditional rulers council before his demise. We want to tell you that we loved him so much. We wish him peaceful rest at the bosom of the Lord”, the royal father declared.
On Thursday last week, in-laws, family members and children led by the deputy governor of the state, Professor Amos Utuama, whose daughter is married to an Ogbe-Ijoh son. The deputy governor was in the kingdom in dual capacity; as an in-law and as a representative of the state government.
The rites climaxed last Friday with HRH Mamamu leading the kingdom to receive an array of other dignitaries, comprising of chiefs, political office holders and some ex-freedom fighters. The last set of callers included Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; the state’s Commissioner for Environment and a son of Ogbe-Ijoh, Frank Omare as well as representatives of Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark. Intels Nigeria, a corporate organisation operating within the kingdom also sent representatives. The climax of the last day of the event was the arrival of ex-agitators, led by Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).
The Fiye-Owei (spokesman) of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom, Chief Favour Izoukumor, attributed the success of the programme to God’s grace and the support of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the traditional rulers, Chief Ekemupolo and other personalities who participated in one way or the other.
On the next step for Ogbe-Ijoh kingdom, the spokesman said the selection of a new Pere would have to be initiated within the shortest possible time, after which installation ceremony would be performed, for a new leader of the people to be crowned. All these would only happen after the kingdom has rested from the stress of burying its last king.
