Kingship Tussle: Egbema leaders accuse council chairman of imposing monarch, fomenting trouble
…says Napoleon Egin is not Agadagba-elect
Egbema Leaders of Thought (ELOT) has accused the Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, Hon. Smart Yomi Asekutu of planning to impose an unpopular candidate, as the traditional ruler of Egbema kingdom.
The Egbema leaders who said that the Chairman is fomenting trouble in Egbema Kingdom, alleged that the fraudulent selection of one Barrister Napoleon Egin as the Agadagba of Eghema kingdom was masterminded by a faction of the chiefs and funded by the LGA chairman.
ELOT called on the Egbema Regency Council, The Egbema Traditiona Council of Chiefs and Hon. Smart Yomi Asekutu, to exercise restraint as they participate in the processes for the selection and subsequent installation of the Agadagba of Eghema kingdom.
According to the group, the LGA Chairman, Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu has demonstrated bias by encouraging the installation of a King through the back door and making false report to the DSS that the Agadagba elect was kidnapped. Adding that they have heard from Napoleon Egin himself that he was never kidnapped.
This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the the group Chairman, Elder Edmund Tiemo and Secretary, E.A. Mawari, issued on Saturday and made available to GbaramatuVoice, stressing that the development is necessary in order to avert a repeat of the ugly experiences of the past that threw the kingdom into darkness for over 32 years of Kingship dispute.
They explained that Napoleon Egin is not an Agadagba elect, for he has not been elected or chosen as Agadagba Elect by the people. Saying that the due process for selection and installation of a credible candidate for the office of the Agadagha of Egbema Kingdom should be allowed to take place,”
In the statement titled ‘INSTALLATION OF THE AGADAGBA OF EGBEMA KINGDOM: A CALL FOR RESTRAINT,’ the group asserted that the Chairman is imposing his will on the people by force, using the apparatus of government, appealing to His Excellency, the governor of Delta State, Sen. (Dr). Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa (CON), to call Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu to order, in order to avoid conflict and a breach of the peace in the Kingdom.
The letter reads in part; “The Egbema Leaders of Thought (ELOT) call on the Egbema Regency Council, The Egbema Traditiona Council of Chiefs and the Chairman of Warri North Local Government Area (LGA), Honorable Smart Yomi Asekutu, to exercise restraint as they participate in the processes for the selection and subsequent installation of the Agadagba of Egbema kingdom.
“This call has become necessary in order to avert a repeat of the ugly experiences of the past that threw the kingdom into darkness for over 32 years of Kingship dispute.
“We are reliably informed of a clandestine and fraudulent selection of one Barrister Napoleon Egin in the living apartment of Chief David Bubor at Ofunama Town on Monday 17th of October, 2022. This incident was masterminded by a faction of the Chiefs and funded by LGA Chairman, Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu.
“We are equally informed that the timely intervention of the local security outfit, Egbema Peace keeping Force situated at Sunny Jero Camp averted a breakdown of law and order in Ogbudugbudu community.
“It is pertinent to note that the LGA Chairman, Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu, is the Chief’ Security Officer (CSO) of the Local Government Area, but he does not have the authority and mandate to install a King for the people of Egbema Kingdom.
“Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu is fomenting trouble in the Kingdom by using the apparatus of government to impose his will on the people by force.
“We therefore appeal to His Excellency, the governor of Delta State, Sen. (Dr). Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa (CON), to call Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu to order, in order to avoid conflict and a breach of the peace in the Kingdom.
“Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu, in his capacity as Chairman of the LGA, is the CSO and he is expected to play a neutral/advisory role to ensure a peaceful installation of an Agadagba that will command the respect and loyalty of generality of the people of Egbema Kingdom. But events have shown that he has compromised his position and his involvement in the present circumstance cannot guarantee a true and fair outcome that will represent the will of the people.
“The LGA Chairman, Mr. Smart Yomi Asekutu has demonstrated bias by encouraging the installation of a King through the back door and making false report to the DSS that the Agadagba elect was kidnapped. We have since heard from Napoleon Egin himself that he was never kidnapped.
“Napoleon Egin is not an Agadagba elect, for he has not been elected or chosen as Agadagba Elect by the people. Again, we appeal to His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State, to call the LGA Chairman to order so that the due process for selection and installation of a credible candidate for the office of the Agadagha of Egbema Kingdom should be allowed to take place,” the statement added.
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