The Okpako-Orere(Most eldest man) of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom and the three ruling houses of Idama, Sohworuvwe and Ohwotemu with the Elders in Council as well as the entire people of the Kingdom have denied the selection and crowning of Chief Emmanuel Ono Okumagba as Orosuen-Elect(King) of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom.
This is contained in a statement signed by Apostle.I.A.M. Eraivor, Okpako Orere of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom and head of Ohwotemu ruling house.
Chief Okumagba emerged as Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom on Tuesday November 17 at Otor-Orere, Headquarters of Okere-Urhobo.
The statement is in a reaction to trending social media reports with the title,”Okumagba emerges Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom”.
“On behalf of the Okpako-Orere,the three ruling houses, the Council of Elders and entire people of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom Warri, I wish to make it abundantly clear that nobody has been selected, appointed, installed and crowned as Orosuen(King) of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom Warri.
“It is the duty of Okpako-Orere to commence the process of selecting and Orosuen(King) according to the custom and tradition of Okere-Urhobo people as confirmed by the Delta State Government report of July 2020, on the Okere-Urhobo kingship tussle and no other person can do that.
“The process of selecting a new Orosuen will commence and the traditional rights and programme of activities will be announced publicly to the entire kingdom by the Okpako-Orere and the heads of the three(3) ruling houses.
“Chief George Amurun(A female descendant whose father is from Ekpan Community in Uvwie Local Government Area) has no right whatsoever to select and crown Chief Emmanuel Okumagba or any other person whatsoever as an Orosuen-Elect of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom Warri.
“Chief Emmanuel Okumagba has contested the Okere-Urhobo kingship stool from the process of HRM.Owen Satti, Ojabugbe I to HRM. (Prof ) Paul Okumagba, Idama II and failed and he has resorted in getting it through the back door. Okere-Urhobo people will not allow such abominable and desperate act of Chief Emmanuel Okumagba and Chief George Amurun to thrive.
“This legal action has been reported to the Nigeria Police for appropriate action. I wish to reassure all the indigenes and residents of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom that at the end of the ongoing selection process which is in line with Okere-Urhobo Kingdom traditional Chieftaincy Declaration and the Delta State Government report on Okere-Urhobo kingship, the Okpako-Orere , the three ruling houses and elders in Council will formerly announce the selection, appointment, installation of crowning an Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Kingdom,Warri.”