PUBLIC NOTICE
Our attention has been drawn to a publication on the Urhobo voice newspaper of Monday, 24th of July, 2023 with caption REJOINDER: OYIBERHE’S CLAIM OF EKADE RULING HOUSE KINGSHIP, BLATANT LIES, TRUE STORY
Naturally such diabolical and misleading publication would have require no response, but for the purpose of clarity and guidance to unsuspecting publics who might be swayed by such blatant lies, we have decided to put the records straight and states as follows:
1. That the said publication was made by a group of impersonators, as the dou of Chief Anthony M. Okagbare (JP) and Olorogun Michael College Ohwofaria who purportedly signed the publication are neither the Otota of Ewu kingdom and Osuvie of Ewu kingdom respectively.
2. That the only known Otota of Ewu kingdom was the late Chief Michael Okpone, who is yet to be replaced as such can only be done by the duly installed king of Ewu Kingdom in the person of HRM Gabriel Ohwodje Macaulay who is taking his time to appoint the best person for the job and not Chief Anthony M. Okagbare (JP).
3. That Michael Collage is a female descendant of Ahawa kingmakers family and therefore not qualified to occupy the position of Osuvie (which is not in existenceaccording to paragraph (4) Traditional Ruler and Chiefs Edict, 1979 which said only the male adult who by birth belong and resident in the family are qualified to participate in the selection of the kingship of Ewu Kingdom. His impersonation was countered through a publication on the Vanguard Newspaper of 10th September, 2020.
4. That Chief John Oyiberhe is a full flesh son of Ekade Ruling house contrary to the falsehood the publisher of the write up tried to sell to the public. For the purpose of clarity, and to help the ignorant peddlers of such wicked lies, we will oblige to educate on the truth, and trace the lineage of Chief John Oyiberhe as a bonafide son of Ekade. Chief John Oyiberhe is from the lineage of Aro, one of the sons of Ekade. Oyiberhe was given birth to by Oduorere, who is the son of Nyovwore. Nyovwore is the son of Ukoro, who is the son of Aro, who is the son of Ekade. Nyovwore got married to Asanayirue from Ohwefe family in Uduere, Ughelli North, hence the maternal linkage of Oyiberhe to Uduere. It must be clearly stated here that, while Chief John Oyiberhe will never deny his ties with Uduere, his Uduere root was only maternal and not paternal as being portrayed by the imposters.
Chief John Oyiberhe is a bonafide Son of Ekade paternally and therefore qualified to occupy any position in the family including his current position as the Otota of the Ekade family, according to paragraph (4) Traditional Ruler and Chiefs Edict, 1979 which said only the male adult who by birth belong and resident in the family are qualified to participate in the selection of the kingship of Ewu Kingdom.
5. That Chief John Oyiberhe is still the legally recognized Otota of Ekade ruling house and any action taken by him remains legal and will only cease if the court says otherwise in the case being referenced by the impersonators.
6. That in the course of executing his legal and traditional rights as the Otota of Ekade family, he presented Chief Gabriel Ohwodje Macauley (now His Royal Majesty) who was duly elected by the Ekade ruling house to the Ahawa Kingmakers family and who was crowned accordingly.
7. That it is instructive to note that the issue of who is the rightful person to obtain the Staff of Office as the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom went before the council of Traditional Rulers in Delta Central Senatorial District and also to the Delta State Traditional Rulers council with Odion Ologbo of Owhe Kingdom presiding and Chief Gabriel Ohwodje Macaulay was adjudged as the right person. And also the Peace Building and Conflict Resolution Committee headed by Hon. Chief Edwin Uzor (JP) who invited all notable stakeholders of Ewu Kingdom and after taking evidence found Chief Gabriel Ohwodje Macaulay as the rightful person to be granted Staff of Office as the Ovie (King) of Ewu Kingdom.
8. Also the issue went to the Former Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Kingsley Otuaro who also invited all the notable stakeholders of Ewu Kingdom and after taking evidence found Chief Gabriel Ohwodjo Macaulay as the rightful person to be granted Staff of Office as the Ovie (King) of Ewu Kingdom.
9. That we want to use this medium to appeal to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewori to refer to both reports of the Uzor led committee and the Delta Central Traditional Rulers Council and put a final end to the current tussle by presenting staff of Office to His Royal Majesty, Gabriel Ohwodje Macauley who is the constitutionally and traditionally installed King of Ewu Kingdom according to the Traditional Ruler and Chiefs Edict, 1979.
