By Sam Duvwode
Following the tussle of who is the most senior man to occupy the position of the Okpaloku of Obiaruku community, the Delta State government has directed the Chairman of Ukwuani Local Government, Hon. Possible Ajede, to suspend the payment of stipend entitled to the Okpaloku stool until the determination of who is the most senior.
The State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro gave the directive yesterday(Tuesday) after an exhaustive deliberation from both parties in a meeting held in Asaba.
The Deputy Governor, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Delta State governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, also directed the Council chairman to look into the matter to determine who is the most senior man and report back to office of the Deputy governor within one month.
The state government further ordered Chief Ossai and other persons to desist from parading themselves as kings since according to constitutional provisions, Obiaruku remains an autonomous community.
The state government while directing all parties to go home quietly and refrain from any act capable of causing breech of peace in the community, warned that it will take decisive action against any person or group of persons that flout the directives in the community.
