The handwriting on the wall was clear
and bold but ominous; the battle line was as unprecedented as were the
parties to the dispute. It was the signalling of a war unheard of in
over 500 years of the Itsekiri Kingdom.
The fear was strong that chaos was imminent. Tension had built up so
much that you could cut it with a knife. But suddenly, the heavy cloud
of war faded and a thin ray of hope, of unity and understanding rose
again from the horizon, foreclosing the ugly tales of attrition that
never really were meant to be. Once again, Iwereland heaved a sigh of
relief.
The Itsekiri people of Delta State indicated to the world over the
weekend that they were at daggers drawn with their revered monarch, the
Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, over his decision to midwife a new
order in the kingdom that would notably change the royal, historical
title of "Ogiame" with a new title that would reflect his personal
status as a Christian.
Although some influential chiefs and highly-placed individuals who
often have the Itsekiri monarch's ears on issues requiring far-reaching
decisions were said to have sided with the king on his Wednesday,
September 4, 2013 solemn proclamation on the controversial change, the
Olu of Warri seemed to be very much alone when trouble broke, with his
subjects rising to reject the proposition almost in unison.
However, not a single “shot” was fired before the trumpet sounded
yesterday afternoon signalling the end of the strange war “between a
respected father and his children,” as a prominent Itsekiri son and
medical practitioner, Dr. Felix Omatseye, excitedly told THISDAY at the
palace of the Olu of Warri yesterday. He said the peaceful nature of the
three-day protest by the people was a celebration of the remarkable
culture of Itsekiri people as a peace-loving people.
This sudden end to the disapproval of the monarch's regal edict, namely
the “New Order of Iwere Kingdom” followed an announcement by the
council of chiefs that the king had had a rethink and retraced his steps
on the matter that seemed like one of life and death to his chiefs and
the people in general.
There was apprehension when news filtered in early yesterday morning
that the members of the Warri Council of Chiefs and some Itsekiri
leaders of thought would converge on the palace before noon yesterday
for a crucial meeting with the embattled monarch. This was not
unconnected with the fact that the people had vowed to continue the
protest until the king rescinded his decision to tamper with or alter
the age-long title of Ogiame.
The monarch in the document said he had renounced his allegiance to the
“Umalokun” and other gods of the sea, land and sky as well as denounced
the “Ogiame” title to which his ancestors had been addressed over the
ages, as well as the “Umalokun” and other deities to which his
predecessors had paid unalloyed allegiance. The belief was that the
proverbial scale of fetish affirmation had fallen off the eyes of the
monarch who had chosen to become more ecclesiastical than cultural.
A statement signed by 22 members of the council of chiefs on Monday
evening and a similar one later in the night by Itsekiri Leaders of
Thought maintained the belligerent posture of the people. As a result,
stalemate had ensued, especially after the appeal by the governor of the
state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, himself an Itsekiri, had failed to
appease the provoked subjects.
However, by yesterday, it turned out to be an anti-climax of sorts, but
the immediate reaction from the people who had for three days laid
siege to the palace with erected canopies, cooking, dining and dancing,
was jubilation that attracted all and sundry.
Renowned Itsekiri chief and Niger Delta leader, Chief Rita
Lori-Ogbebor, who read out Monday's statement on behalf of the Warri
Council of Chiefs, also addressed the people and newsmen at the palace
yesterday, announcing that the siege was over as the monarch had bowed
to pressure and acceded to the demands of the people.
It is remarkable that there was heavy security presence all through the
protest, consequently, no incident or violence was recorded. However,
the reaction of the people was spontaneous and unanimous: A happy end to
the peaceful protest and a celebration of the Itsekiri people and their
monarchy.
Lori-Ogbebor, who was as elated, especially as trouble had been
averted, was gaily dressed. Just like many of the men and women,
youths and children who thronged the palace grounds to receive the glad
tidings yesterday, she noted that being Christians themselves, the
protesters share the monarch’s faith in one almighty God, saying nobody
was trying to make the king renounce his Christian faith.
What the people simply demanded was the respect for the age-long
tradition of the Itsekiri people and monarchy, she noted as she thanked
God, saying, “All is well that ends well.” She said history was made
yesterday because the culture and unity and prestige of the Itsekiri
people had come to the fore and was reinforced by the peaceful end to
the protest of the children before their royal father.
Dr. Omatseye also reiterated the view that the people were not
anti-Christianity by their protest and demands, saying, “Even in Rome,
tradition has a place and is respected by the church. Culture is what
makes us unique as a people. There was a conflict and we, the children
of the king, wanted our tradition to be intact, as it was in the
beginning, because royalty is the apex of our culture.
“So we want to pass it down to generations yet unborn, because it is a
unique gift from almighty God. This is not against Christianity,” the
regally dressed and gyrating Omatseye told THISDAY Tuesday.
Also, Frederick Omaghomi and Hon. Godwin Omamogho, two Itsekiri opinion
leaders, also expressed satisfaction with the happy ending of the
demonstration by the people, saying those who might have misconstrued
their action as disrespect for their king missed the point.
“The Itsekiri can never fight their king,” Omamogho pointed out, noting
that at no point throughout the protest was the term “must” or
insulting words used at the king, as the people merely made a passionate
appeal to the Olu of Warri to see with the people.
Omaghomi also observed that Ogiame Atuwatse II as the 19th monarch, was
actually the 10th Christian to ascend the royal throne in a succession
of kings, hence no one could rightly regard the protest as being against
Christianity.
Similarly, Mrs. Progress Oyibo, an Itsekiri woman leader, who presided
over the cooking and serving the food at the palace grounds while the
protest lasted, thanked the Itsekiri leaders and particularly Hon.
Omolubi Aboyibolo who supplied almost all the food to feed the
protesters at the palace.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Government has refuted reports that the
Commissioner for Education (Basic and Secondary), Professor Patrick
Muoboghare, who was attacked over the weekend in Ughelli North Local
Government Area, is in coma.
In a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Chike
Ogeah, the state said the unprovoked attack on Muoboghare resulted in
bodily harm, as he was stabbed with a knife, adding, however, that he
was stable and recuperating after he received treatment in a hospital.
He said some of the assailants had been arrested and would be
prosecuted.
No comments:
Post a Comment