By our reporter, Benin
The Ozukpogieva (second in command) of Emuhu Village, Pa. Ehigie Edobor and other elders have appealed to HRM Oba Ewuare II for his confirmation and approval as the Odionwere .
Pa. Edobor made the appeal when he spoke to journalists on the issues of Odionwere position in the Village and the alleged role played by the Okaighele (youth leader) of the Village before the clampdown by the State Government.
The former Okaighele whose name was given as Joseph Enaruna allegedly disrespects the elders and the traditional norms of the land.
According to the traditional practice of the people in Benin Kingdom, as the next most elderly man, Pa. Edobor is supposed to be the Odionwere , they said.
Lamenting that after five years of the exit of the immediate past Odionwere, he is yet to be installed.
Pa. Edobor alleged that this is in spite of several invitations to the Oba Palace for his formal presentation and approval to be installed.
But unfortunately, each time they are invited they would end up not being attended to by those whose responsibility it is to do so, the elders complained.
The prevailing situation allegedly has given the opportunity to the Okaighele (youths leader) Joseph Enaruna to seize the powers and authority of the office of the Odionwere and now unilaterally dictates the affairs of the people.
One of the four ranking elders, Elder William Edobor also speaking corroborated the narrative of Pa. Ehigie Edobor saying they would not understand why they are not being attended to at the Palace.
Describing the situation as unfortunate, they point accusing finger at Enaruna who allegedly is suspected to be behind the situation.
Another elder of Emuhu Village who prefer to be anonymous alleged that due to the absence of a substantive Odionwere in the Village, former Okaighele (youths leader) Joseph Enaruna presides over meetings, chooses which elder to align with and often slam fines of all manners on the people including the elderly at will.
Consequently, many persons including the elders have abandoned the Village and no longer participate in meetings saying they can no longer be taking orders from a young man who ordinarily is supposed to be running errands for them.
The people lament that the situation in Emuhu Village is becoming a jungle where there is lawlessness and survival of the fittest.
Pa. Edobor and his people therefore appeals to the Benin Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II for intervention saying they would be happy for the reversal of the situation.
Meanwhile in a phone call put through to Enaruna; he denied all the allegations saying that there were no such things happening in Emuhu Village.
Rather; he has been at the forefront of the struggle to ensure that the Odionwere gets approved for installation at the Palace.
Also speaking, secretary of the elders council of Emuhu Village, Uwadiae Omo Osemwengie when contacted corroborated Enaruna in his denial of the allegations.
The allegations are not true, but an attempt to tarnish his good name having served the people meritoriously, the secretary said in defence of Enaruna.
He however assured that the people of Emuhu are patiently waiting for the approval of the installation of Pa. Edobor as the Odionwere by the Monarch HRM Oba Ewuare II.
Emuhu Village is in Uhunmwode Local Government Council Area of Edo State.
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