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Ogwashi-Uku Elders Dismiss Claims By Chief Andrew Okocha
Ogwashi-Uku Elders Dismiss Claims By Chief Andrew Okocha
Elders and chiefs of the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom have strongly refuted the recent statements made by Chief Andrew (AC) Okocha in an interview published by Truth Reporters, addressing the customs and traditions of the kingdom.
Members of the Royal Family in Ogwashi-Uku, in reaction to Chief Okocha’s claims, clarified that the process of appointing Okwabanis (local satellite community chiefs) is the exclusive responsibility of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, in consultation with senior chiefs, not the Diokpas (family heads) as suggested.
Prominent elder, Diokpa Mowete, voiced his disagreement, suggesting that Chief Okocha was either misquoted or lacks adequate understanding of Ogwashi-Uku’s traditions.
“Chief Okocha is neither a recognized chief in the Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom nor a member of the Obi-In-Council.
Although he is a respected son of Ogwashi-Uku, his statements on traditional matters fall outside his authority,” Diokpa Mowete remarked.
He further explained: “The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku is the sole custodian of our customs and traditions. Okwabanis are appointed by the Obi based on the recommendation of the senior chief from the respective quarter. Aside from the High Chiefs (Idimes), who are also recommended by the community quarters, all other chieftaincy titles are exclusively bestowed by the Obi. Chiefs, in this regard, are similar to government commissioners, appointed to assist the Obi in managing the kingdom’s affairs. Diokpas have no role in appointing chiefs or handling the administrative matters of the kingdom.”
Regarding the purported “crisis” in Ogwashi-Uku, Diokpa Mowete dismissed the notion as a fabrication.
“There is no crisis within our kingdom; such claims are merely the invention of a few misguided individuals, often collaborating with external interests. These individuals, some of whom are rebels and land grabbers, seek to distort the truth in order to seize communal lands for personal gain. Our people remain united and will firmly resist any attempts to tarnish our kingdom’s reputation or unlawfully take our ancestral lands,” he asserted.
He further criticized Chief Okocha for speaking on matters outside his domain, advising him to deepen his knowledge of Ogwashi-Uku’s traditions before engaging in public commentary. “It is irresponsible to mislead the public about our customs, and such actions undermine the respect and unity we have as a community,” Diokpa Mowete concluded.
It is noteworthy that the Delta State Government has recently established a judicial commission to investigate various matters, including land disputes, boundary issues, and the protracted Iyase chieftaincy controversy. This commission is also looking into conflicts with neighboring communities, such as Ibusa and Okpanam, which have allegedly encroached on Ogwashi-Uku’s ancestral lands. The Delta State government has asked the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku to take direct control of all the satellite communities until the judicial commission completes it work.
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