Indigenes, Delta government disagree over choice of new Isoko monarch

Aggrieved people of Enhwe Kingdom in Isoko South Local Council of Delta State have petitioned Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over the alleged imposition of Chief Anthony Efekodha as their traditional ruler.

In a correspondence by their solicitor, Success Egwuenu, they urged the governor to withdraw his staff of office or face litigation.“We are solicitors consulted by Enhwe Kingdom through their representatives, Prince Daniel, High Chief Jonathan Asama, Chief Patrick Okakor, Comrade Afoke Johnny, President General, Enhwe Kingdom and Julius Panama. The petitioners explained that the memo was written in protest against the recognition of Chief Anthony Efekodha whom they alleged did not win the election, pass due process as required by their custom and tradition,” the statement read in part.

They recalled that they had protested to Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro on November 22, 2016 and repeated same on December 13 regarding the issue.The petitioners went on: “Chief Anthony Efekodha did not win the election conducted to select the successful candidate. He was not presented to the Ogbaide family (kingmaker) as required by the custom and tradition of our people and was also not presented to the whole community for acceptance as was done to Prince Julius Panama.”

But Efekodha, a former member of the House of Representatives, maintained that he won the election and satisfied all requirements for coronation.The state Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah, said what government did was credible, adding that the Okowa administration was averse to crisis.