A royal crisis surrounding the choice of a king is looming in the ancient kingdom of Aboh, a place whose ancestors held the Landers brother (John and Richard) as slaves.
It is a crisis that pitched Hon Olise Imegwu, former speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, High Chief Ajieh Ogwu, president general of Aboh community and four quarters that produce the king against Chief Greg Oputa, the new king and some prominent chiefs in the community.
In a press statement widely circulated in many online newspapers today, the chiefs said that Oputa remained their king and should be so respected.
The chiefs throwing their weight behind Oputa are Ndanike of Aboh, High Chief Paul Esumei, Iyasele of Aboh kingdom, High Chief Ifeanyi Odili, the Ozeh of Aboh, High Chief Kenneth Odili and the Isagba Ajieh of Aboh kingdom, High Chief Chris Ogwu.
They argued that Prince Gregory Oputa emerged as the king and called on all Aboh sons and daughters to support and respect him.
However, The Pond News recalled that Dr Olise Imegwu led some Aboh sons and daughters to protest the imposition of Oputa as king to Asaba, the state capital.
Imegwu while addressing the state police commissioner and at the deputy governor office in Asaba respectively said that Oputa did not emerge through the due process and challenged Oputa to show the world the video of his crowning and who placed the crown on his head as a king.
The president general of Aboh community High Chief Sir John Ajie Ogwu also recently held a meeting in Aboh with the four quarters and king makers with the message that Aboh has no king.
The four quarters that rotationally produce the king are Umu Ogwezi, Umu Ossai ,Umu Obi and Umu Ojugbele were present in that meeting held in Aboh, headquarters of Ndokwa East LGA.
Also present were the elders and Oduah, the supreme leader.
Addressing the gathering, the President General of Aboh community High Chief Sir John Ajie Ogwu and Ikeogwe Ajie of Aboh kingdom said that there was no king in Aboh because of the manner and the way Oputa emerged as king, adding that anybody parading himself as one was a liar.
Ogwu explained that the Oduah was forced to chalk the aspirant and that everything was done in secret.
The president general challenged the man claiming to be the king to show the world the video how he was crowned and who placed the crown on his head.
Despite the claims and counter claims of the two factions on the kingship tussle, The Pond News calls on the state government to nip this crisis in the bud before it explodes.
