Dein Of Agbor: All Traditional Rulers In Delta Are Equal, Says Agbon King

By Daniel Dafe

His Royal Majesty Ogurimerime Ukori 1, Ovie of Agbon Kingdom in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta Stata, has said that all kings in the state have equal status, adding that the certificate of appointment presented to him by the state government after due recognition by Agbon people did not indicate any classification as a first, second or third class king.

The respected traditional ruler said this on Monday, when members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sapele Chapel, paid him a courtesy call.

Recall that the Dein of Agbor, HRM Keagborekuzi Ikechukwu 1, recently said that there were only two first class kings in the state, naming himself and the Olu of Warri.

While noting that a king by dint of hardwork and behaviour can be recognized in the society as someone who is high in the traditional institution, said that all kings in the state are equal.

He added: “I do not need any recognition from anybody. It is what you do that determines your classification. You can classify yourself by your achievements and comportment. But, in Delta State, we do not talk about first, second or third class kings.”

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“It is only governments that recognise kings. But, as at today, there is no classification of kings in Delta State,” he said.

Furthermore, he said that some kingdoms in the state were cut out from existing kingdoms due to backings from political bigwigs, adding that only the state government either by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry or Administrative Commission of Inquiry can delve into the issue of proliferation of kingdoms.

Stating that Agbon Kingdom has existed since 1952, he opined that some kingdoms in the state were split by powerful individuals and formed based on political patronage.

“Some kingdoms ought to be amalgamated so that all these issues of first, second and third class will cease to exist,” he averred.

“Agbor traditional ruler is our colleague except he is excising himself from the traditional rulers’ council and wants to stand on his own and be outside of the government’s authority. We are all appendages of government and receive stipends from government,” he said.

According to him, only the state government can determine who is who amongst the kings, saying that this can only happen after following due process.