Prominent chiefs in Aboh Kingdom in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State have called on all indigenes of the community to rally round their king, His Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III.
The chiefs, in a statement which was made available to newsmen, stated that “there is no dispute arising from the emergence of the new King, Prince Gregory Oputa as due process was followed before he was crowned as the King’ amid jubilation by the people of Aboh Kingdom.”
In the statement, signed by the Ndanike of Aboh Kingdom, High Chief Paul Resume, 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 said that, “it is a thing of joy that His Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III has emerged in the person of Prince Gregory Oputa and it is our duty as indigenes of Aboh to accord him the respect he deserves as his subjects.
“Those who were interested in becoming the King should know that traditionally, the stool is no longer vacant as all the rites have been performed and it is impossible for us to have two Kings in Aboh Kingdom at the same time.
“We should also, bear in mind that t is the exclusive responsibility of the King makers to select who becomes a King in Aboh and they have discharged their functions diligently according to the criteria based on age-long custom and tradition of Aboh Kingdom.
“We have implicit confidence in Obi Oputa III in his ability to take Aboh to greater heights; we are also praying that his reign will usher in a more peaceful and prosperous Aboh Kingdom for us to take our pride of place once again as a revered Kingdom in the world.
“For the few persons who are not residing in Aboh but are committed to sending out messages that there is crisis in Aboh over the Kingship, we advise that you should make efforts to visit home and see the joy on the faces of our people, and also, enjoy the peace that now pervades Aboh Kingdom.
“We also, advise those few individuals, their cronies, media houses, including social media influencers, to stop all forms of actions that will cause disaffection in the Kingdom or project our King negatively before the world.
“From now on, legal processes would be instituted against any individual, or organisation that misinforms the public or casts aspersion on our revered Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III.
“We thank the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, for making Delta State conducive for socio-economic and traditional activities to take place and we look forward to the formal presentation of Staff of Office to our King, Obi Oputa III.”
It would be recalled that in a colourful ceremony that witnessed jubilation in all parts of Aboh Kingdom, Prince Gregory Oputa was crowned formally as the 20th Obi of Aboh on September 15, 2024 and addressed as His Imperial Majesty Obi Oputa III.