– Egbudu Akah community in Delta north is boiling as properties and lives are being lost over kingship tussle
– The warfare is coming from two brothers who are laying claim to the stool left behind by their late father in September 2016
– The police have arrested some of the youths who beat up one of the parallel kings who is said to be recuperating in the hospital
As it is in Idumuje Ugboko, a rural community in Aniocha North council area of Delta state where kingship tussle has torn the community apart, Egbudu Akah, also an agrarian community in Aniocha south council area of the state is also embroiled in warfare, blood and death over the rightful heir to the throne.
The king of the community, Obi Okolie, died on September 30, 2016. Following his death, two of his sons are laying claim to the throne as kings in place of their late father.
Community sources say the late Obi was the oldest reigning monarch in the world as he ruled the community for over 70 years. But as soon as he died, succession to his stool has become a subject of controversy, as two of his sons are causing commotion and destroying properties of opposition members to pave way to become the substantive king of the rural community.
Obi Paul Okolie and his wife, Theresa. They are receiving treat at the hospital after the beating given to them by angry youths of Egbudu Akah
Facts from the community are indicating that the two crowned kings are ruling from different sections of the community, a development which has led to divided loyalty in the community.
One of his sons, who is said to be a pastor based in Nsukwa in the same council area, was installed as Obi Solomon Ogwuagwu while another group said to be led by the eldest man of the community, one Augustine Ikwesi, installed the monarch’s first son with the name Obi Paul Nzemeke. The coronation of the two from different camps was the beginning of crisis for the tiny community.
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Following the installation of the two kings, there has been no peace in the area. The emergence of the two kings has been a subject of discuss among residents of the community. The residents have been discussing the issue in low tones as the crisis escalates, claiming lives and destroying properties belonging to both parties and community members seen to be opposed to each camp.
A community source told ZENITHBLOG.com that the history and culture of the community make provision for Obi Solomon to be the king after the death of their father. The source alleged that his mother was the rightful wife of the late monarch, Obi Okolie while Obi Paul’s mother was inherited from the late Obi’s brother. Hence, he said the son from inherited woman cannot be king in Egbudu Akah community.
Obi Solomon was quoted to have said: “My grandfather, Ememokwu, had four wives. My own father was not the first son of his father, as there was one son ahead of him, called Babadi Ememokwu, who died in the presence of his father. Before his death, he had about four wives, but two were alive when his father died in 1946.
“So, Obi Okolie was asked to inherit his brother’s two living wives and their children. My father inherited through Igbulu-Nanzo, his brother’s two wives before he continued his own life by marrying my mother, who bore two late sons and myself. I am the rightful first living child, who is the authentic first son of late Obi Okolie.”
Obi Solomon Ogwuagu being crowned at Egbudu Akah
But Obi Nzemeke insisted that he was duly installed by Diokpas in Egbudu-Akah, supported by the relevant kingmakers and quarters.
While countering the stance of Ogwuagwu, Nzemeke said the culture and tradition of Egbudu-Akah are similar to those of other communities in Aniocha South, Aniocha North, Oshimili North and Oshimili South local councils of Delta state and have not changed till today.
He stated that it was common knowledge in the kingdom, even before the death of the late monarch that he was the recognised heir-apparent to the throne, because everybody knew he was the first male qualified child, having been in the palace before Solomon’s mother was married.
But for the fact that two kings cannot rule in a single community, there has been serious crisis in the community. The crisis has escalated to the point of fighting from groups loyal to each of the kings.
Investigations revealed that there is massive destruction of property in the community with Obi Paul and his wife sustaining serious degrees of injuries from beatings given to them by youths suspected to be loyal to Obi Solomon.
A community youth who preferred not to be named told ZENITHBLOG.com: “There are two highnesses in Egbudu Akah. My own highness is Solomon Ogwu-Agu. The other one Paul is the brain behind the crisis in Egbudu Akah,” alleging that his action led to the killing of some people in the community.
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“Because of his action, youths loyal to Obi Solomon decided to start burning houses and destroying properties. His wife poured acid on people. That is why the youths of the community got angry and beat up his wife because she cannot pour acid on a human being and go free,” the youth said.
Some of the buildings destroyed by the angry youths of Egbudu Akah
He alleged that Paul and his group killed a 14-year-old boy while some others with bullet wounds are nursing their injuries. All these, it was learnt, triggered the community youths to beat up Obi Paul and his wife. His house was also burnt and the house of other community members that are loyal to him.
According to him, Solomon is the actual heir to the throne, noting that Obi Paul is coming on the ground that he is the first son.
He explained that the tradition of the community does not go like that. “The tradition dictates that the kingship goes to Solomon being the first son from the rightful marriage. But Paul is the first son. His mother was inherited from the late Obi’s elder brother.
“That was what we came to understand. We did not know because we were children then. Solomon is the son whose mother was properly married. He is supposed to be the king.
“The problem we are having now is intimidation. They are bringing people from outside the community to fight us. They poured acid on people, that is why the community youths reacted by burning their houses. They now brought police and arrested some people in the village.”
According to him, the community is in support of Obi Solomon. He alleged that he has about 70 percent support from the community people. The source told ZENITHBLOG.com that Obi Paul and his group are trying to arrest as many as they could.
Following the crisis and the consequent beating of Obi Paul, the two were left to nurse their wounds. Obi Paul and his wife, Theresa, narrowly escaped being lynched as the rampaging youths invaded his palace.
ZENITHBLOG.com learnt that not less than two people were killed, several houses destroyed, including the palace, cars belonging to the embattled king and other members of his family as well as some subjects loyal to him, were burnt.
Police stormed the community and made some arrests
Narrating his ordeal on his hospital bed, Obi Paul said he was in the palace after effecting repairs on one of his cars when youths numbering over 40 forced themselves into the palace and started destroying vehicles and the palace building.
He said that they later left and came back in larger number and started beating him and his wife, his little son and one of his brothers.
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He said they later took him to the new palace building and subsequently to the house of the principal suspect where he was beaten to a state of coma with cutlasses, guns, broken bottles and wood.
Obi Paul said he and his wife were almost strangled to death, but for the intervention of the policemen who came in to rescue him and his wife in a room where they were locked up and receiving beating from the youths.
He said he was dragged on the floor and thereafter his clothes were torn, leaving him with only boxers and pant on, adding that they shot at him but, he managed to dodge the bullets. The royal father said at present, the community is under siege by the rampaging youths, who are armed with guns and other dangerous weapons.
When contacted, the Delta state police public relations officer, Andrew Aniamaka, confirmed the incident, adding that at the last count, about nine suspects have been arrested while peace has returned to the community with police officers on ground to maintain peace.
He said the matter is under investigation and that anyone found guilty would be made to face the wrath of the law. Aniamaka said the traditional ruler is at present receiving medical treatment with his wife in the hospital.
Meanwhile, the Obi of Owa, another community in Ika east council area, Obi Efeizomor (II) and chairman, Delta state traditional rulers’ council, has condemned the attack on Obi Paul and called on the people of the area to embrace peace and seek legal option to address perceived grievances.
According to him: “Traditional rulers in the state are unhappy over this ugly development, the process of ascending the throne is very clear to everybody and wondered why the suspects could resort to this unlawful act.
“What they have done is a breach of the peace, I am calling on the police and the state government to bring the culprits to book and sanction them to serve as deterrent to others.” The traditional ruler commended the police for acting promptly and rescuing the monarch from the hands of the angry youths.
Vice chairman of Aniocha South local government area, Asika Awele, condemned the attack on Obi Paul. He said the council has done a lot to resolve the crisis by handing over the matter to the Delta state traditional rulers’ council.
Meanwhile, people in Uhuhu village of Abia state are seen scooping fuel from a fallen tanker. Watch the situation inn this ZENITHBLOG.com video
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