Ovie Of Agbarha-Warri Elect: Bazunu Faults Ukushemuya’s Claims

By Ambrose Ologide

A prominent indigene of Agbarha Warri kingdom, Chief Christian Bazunu has faulted claims by the head of Otien Family of Edjeba Warri Community, Alfred Ukushemuya that the Ovie of Agbarha Warri kingdom elect, HRM Kingsley Orereh, Atanerhu 1 Igbi 11 was a product of a cabal contained in a news item titled: ‘ King Maker Rejects The Ovie Agbarha Warri Elect published on page 36 of Vanguard issue of Monday 1st January , 2024.

Bazunu who spoke to our correspondent in Warri at the weekend, noted that there is no iota of truth in the said publication.

Chief Bazunu stated that due process was followed in the installation of HRM Kingsley Orereh Atanerhu 1 Igbi 11, the Ovie of Agbarha Warri kingdom.

He also noted that the Delta State Government through its committee on Peace Building and Conflicts Resolution was aware and duely informed of the process that led to emergence of the new Ovie of Agbarha Kingdom and that the cohorts of Alfred Ukushemuya, Chief Amos Ikpuri and others were at meetings held at the instance of Delta State Peace Building and Conflicts Resolution on the selection of HRM Igbi 11.

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Bazunu also pointed out that Ukushemuya who spoke through Chief Amos Ikpuri at the said World Conference that he was reacting to, was not among the king makers at the time of the election of the new Ovie of Agbarha Warri was conducted.

Bazunu also pointed that even if Ukushemuya was the eldest man of Edjeba Warri Community at the time of the election, he has only one vote in the election that was won overwhelmingly by the new Agbarha Warri monarch who he said scored 5 out of the 6 votes cast by the king makers.

He stated that the Chief Priest of Owhurie Deity, Chief Oyibo was the only king maker that did not vote .

Bazunu however said that the Chief Priest gave his support for the exercise.

Bazunu further pointed out that Alfred Ukushemuya is far younger in age than the most eldest man in the kingdom, Chief Pa Jonathan Ashimo Ayiwe who he said is a king maker.

He also exonerated the dissolved Agbarha Warri Regency Council headed by High Chief Willie Digbori JP of the accusation of Alfred Ukushemuya as he stressed that Chief Digbori only announced the result of the election of the king makers that produced HRM Kingsley Orereh Atanerhu 1 Igbi 11 as the new Ovie Agbarha Warri kingdom.

Bazunu stressed that the new traditional ruler won overwhelmingly in a free, fair and credible election of the king makers that was conducted even in the presence of the press.

He remarked that the outcome of the election was gladly accepted by the people of the seven authomous communities that comprised Agbarha Warri kingdom who he said have also paid homage to HRM Igbi 11
Bazunu also disclosed that one of the contestants in the royal contest from the Otien Family of Edjeba , High Chief Michael Cahier Ikpuri had paid solidarity visit to the new traditional ruler .

He therefore used the opportunity to appeal to the Ukoko R’Ivie Urhobo ( association of Urhobo Tradititioal Rulers ) , Urhobo Progress Union (UPU)Worldwide and the Delta State Government to call Alfred Ukushemuya and Chief Amos Ikpuri to order and to advise them from making false and malicious claims that were aimed at misleading government and the public.