Orogun Kingdom Leadership: Chief Agbonifo Writes Open Letter To Gov. Oborevwori, Alleges Defamation Of Character, Public Misrepresentation Of Facts By Jaro Egbo

Your Excellency Sir,

With utmost respect, I, Chief (Dr.) Bennis E. Agbonifo, duly recognized President-General of Orogun Kingdom, humbly write to lodge a formal complaint and seek your urgent intervention over a recent Public Notice issued by the Office of the Executive Chairman, Ughelli North Local Government Council, which grossly defamed my character and misrepresented facts concerning traditional and community leadership in Orogun Kingdom.

The said publication, titled “Public Notice and Directive From Ughelli North Local Government Council” dated 1st August, 2025, falsely alleged that “one Ms. Benis Agbonifo crowned Mr. A. K. Osawota as the Ovie of Orogun Kingdom”. This claim is not only false and malicious, but also culturally absurd and defamatory, as it attempts to portray me—a woman and community leader—as performing a traditional and sacred coronation function reserved strictly for male kingmakers under Orogun customary law.

FACTUAL CLARIFICATIONS:

1. Women do not crown kings in Urhobo tradition.
The process of selecting and crowning a traditional ruler (Ovie) in Urhobo Kingdom is the exclusive duty of the Council of Kingmakers, while in Orogun its the council of Okparuku makers drawn from the respective sub-clans and elders in accordance with native law and custom. No woman, by custom or tradition, performs such rites.

2. My official role as President-General is an administrative and developmental leadership position recognized by the Delta State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community & Social Development—not a traditional institution.

3. The said publication was a deliberate act of defamation, calculated to ridicule my person, undermine my integrity, and mislead the general public by associating me with a matter outside my constitutional and traditional jurisdiction.

4. Furthermore, such a statement issued under the official seal of a local government office constitutes an abuse of public communication and violates the standards of truth, neutrality, and administrative ethics expected of a government representative.

ALSO READ: Dafinone: Delta APC Will Now Get Its Fair Share From FG With Oborevwori Leadership

PRAYERS:

In light of the above, I respectfully appeal to Your Excellency to:

1. Your Excellency, kindly direct the Ughelli North Local Government Council to issue a public retraction and apology for the defamatory publication against my person.

2. Please caution the Executive Chairman against further unauthorized public statements on matters pending before or involving the Delta State Government and Orogun Kingdom.

3. Continue to protect the integrity of lawfully recognized community leaders against politically motivated or defamatory attacks that distort the peace process and undermine public trust.

Your Excellency, I remain committed to peace, order, and the continued collaboration between the Orogun Kingdom leadership and the Delta State Government in promoting development and unity within our communities.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest respect and loyalty.

Yours faithfully,
Chief (Dr.) Bennis E. Agbonifo
President-General, Orogun Kingdom