The people of Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North have warned that recent attempts by the Delta state government to subvert the age-long traditional rulership system in the community may result in chaos.

At an enlarged emergency meeting held in Onicha-Olona on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, the Obi-In-Council of Onicha-Olona, consisting of the Obunzes who are representives of the six villages in the community urged the state government to jettison its plot to issue staff of office to Mr. Dumbili Nwadiajueboe as the Obi of Onicha-Olona.

The Obi-In-Council, speaking through the Iyase of Onicha-Olona, Chief Paul Eziashi appealed to the state government to stop recognizing Mr. Dumbili Nwadiajueboe as Obi-elect of Onicha-Olona, saying that such action will have a catastrophic consequence on the community.

Chief Eziashi insisted that the Okpalabisi system, which has been the system of the production of the Obi of Onicha-Olona must be sustained, saying that the hereditary system that has been advocated by Mr. Dumbili Nwadiajueboe is alien to the community and enjoined the state government to dissociate itself from such ignoble moves that could plunge the community into avoidable problem.

The community also issued a statement titled “Re: Okpalabisi System as the Age-long system for the production of Onicha-Olona: The attempt by Mr. Dumbili Nwadiajueboe and his cohorts to foist hereditary system on Onicha-Olona people – A demand that Mr. Dumbili Nwadiajueboe should not be recognised as that Obi of Onicha-Olona or be given staff of office”.

The statement was signed by Chief Christopher Uzu Diji (Obi-designate and Obunze of Ogbeobi village), Chief Paul C. Ezeashi (Iyase of Onicha-Olona), Chief S. O. Nmakwe (Obunze of Umuolu village), Chief Ndidi Ikpeoyi (Obunze of Idumuje village), Chief E. I. Okodike (Odoziobodo of Onicha-Olona), Chief Alex Etum Odih (Onihe of Onicha-Olona and Obunze of Ishiekpe village), Chief P. O. Odor (Obunze of Ogbekenu village), Chief M. Dibie (Obunze of Agba village) and Chief O. Odih (Isioga Ani).

Blank NEWS Online can reveal that the kingmakers of Onicha-Olona community have concluded plans to install Chief Christopher Uzu Diji (Obi-designate and Obunze of Ogbeobi village) as the Obi of Onicha-Olona, being the rightful person based on the age-long Okpalabisi System of production of Obi of Onicha-Olona.

Attached copies of statement made availabile to Blank NEWS Online:

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