Get Guardian on GoogleAll is now set for the historic presentation of the Staff of Office to the Ovie of Iyede Kingdom in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Ufuoma Peter, Ekperare I, marking the end of a six-year traditional leadership vacuum in the community.
The development brings to a close years of uncertainty surrounding the traditional stool, following a prolonged legal tussle over the kingship that left the kingdom without a recognised monarch for about six years.
The presentation ceremony, scheduled for November 12 at Iyede Grammar School, Otor Iyede, is expected to attract prominent traditional rulers, government officials, political leaders, indigenes and other dignitaries from within and outside Delta State.
Ahead of the historic event, the kingdom has begun wearing a new look, with various sub-commitees working round the clock to ensure a memorable and successful ceremony. Preparations are understood to include beautification of the community, venue arrangements and other logistical activities.
The ceremony will be performed by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who is expected to formally present the Staff of Office to the monarch, symbolising the state government’s recognition of his traditional authority and position as the Ovie of Iyede Kingdom.
For the people of Iyede, the occasion represents more than a formal installation ceremony. It is a defining moment in the history of the kingdom, offering an opportunity to restore traditional leadership, strengthen communal ties and chart a new course after years of uncertainty.
The emergence of a recognised monarch is also expected to provide a rallying point for the various communities, particularly in promoting peace, unity, cultural preservation and development across the kingdom.
With preparations gathering momentum, expectations are high that the November 12 ceremony will usher in a new chapter for Iyede Kingdom as the community celebrates the restoration of its traditional institution after years of kingship-related disputes.
The development has brought an end to a six-year traditional leadership crisis in the kingdom, which had stalled the ascension to the throne following a protracted legal tussle.
Speaking with The Guardian, a member of the venue sub-committee and immediate past Secretary-General of Iyede Kingdom, High Chief Henry Onoriode Imo, said the court recently affirmed the Oboro Ruling House as the only recognised ruling house in the kingdom, paving the way for the emergence of the new monarch.
Imo who is also the Owhoedeona of Olomoro Kingdom, said following the court’s decision, HRM Ufuoma Peter Ekperare I completed the necessary traditional rites and was installed by the community, while the presentation of the Staff of Office by the state government would formally confer government recognition on his reign.
He described the development as a major relief, saying the kingdom had been thrown into wild jubilation, with residents, youths, chiefs and other stakeholders rallying behind the monarch to ensure a successful ceremony.
According to him, preparations for the historic event have also brought renewed excitement to the community, with the king and other traditional leaders personally inspecting the venue to ensure everything is in place.
“The atmosphere is very joyful. Everybody is happy, including the youths, the women and the chiefs. Everyone is working seriously to ensure that the king is properly installed so that peace, tranquillity and development can return to the kingdom,” he said.
The community leader commended the Delta State Government for facilitating the formal recognition of the monarch, expressing particular appreciation to the First Lady of the state, who he described as a proud daughter of Iyede Kingdom, and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whom he identified as their son-in-law.
He said: “The First Lady, Deaconess Tobore Oborovwori, is a proud daughter of Iyede Kingdom, while Governor Oborevwori is our son-in-law. We are very happy because he did not waste time in approving the Staff of Office for our monarch. For a long time, we have not had this opportunity, and we are delighted that we are getting it right this time.”
He said the community was delighted that the governor approved the presentation of the Staff of Office, noting that Iyede had waited several years for the opportunity to have its traditional institution formally recognised by the government.
“This is the first time Iyede people have worked together irrespective of political and religious differences. It’s a new dawn for Iyede Kingdom”, Imo added.
