Bernard Awariata is not the true Ovie of Eghwu – Ivwidiotu

By Gabriel Oghenekaroh,—————-

Controversy has continued to trail the emergence of Mr. Bernard Awariata as the Ovie of Eghwu Kingdom, in Ughelli South Local Government Area, as Ahawan kingmakers’ family group has faulted the process that led to his selection.

Speaking on behalf of Ahawan Kingmakers family, the Awhotu (Second in Command) and Acting Otota (Spokesperson) of the family, Mr. Ibadan Ivwidiotu noted that the process that selected Mr. Bernard Awariata was in flagrant of the defunct Bendel state law on Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, 1979 and the Delta state law on Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs, 2003.

He said, “Bernard Awariata cannot be the Ovie of Eghwu Kingdom because he and seven others concerned were not presented by the Ekade ruling house to Ahawan kingmakers’ family group. Also the Osuvie, Michael Ohwofaria is of a female descendant of the family and cannot crown any acceptable candidate as an Ovie of the kingdom, neither does he has the right to screen, or select a candidate from the ruling house and crown same as Ovie of the Kingdom. This responsibility is solely for male descendants of the ruling house.

“Also where there is a disagreement in the Ruling house, the kingmakers’ family group is expected to conduct election by secret ballot.

“Presently I am the Awhotu of the Ahawan kingmakers family group and temporarily holds the title of Otota in the kingmakers family group after Chief John O. Obiku was removed, and also one of the few surviving members that conducted election by secret ballot for late Thomas Umukoro and late Jabin Onosa Ogaga who were presented to the kingmakers family group in 1998 where the later had 220 votes against 20 votes. After the election, the loser later went to court and the case lingered on for about 26years, meanwhile Jabin Onosa Ogaga was given staff of office by the state government.

“On the 26th April, 2021, I received a letter from the Ekade Ruling house presenting Prince Gabriel Macaulay as the candidate that emerged out of the six candidates screened by the Ruling house. We started preparing formalities of the tradition before performing the crowning ceremony which is always within 90 days. On 30th May, 2021, some of us were surprised when Osuvie, Michael Ohwofaria, though a female descendant in company of others carried out screening of eight candidates, and instead of secret ballot voting and crowned Bernard Awariata as the Ovie of Eghwu Kingdom Kingdom, which is contrary to the Bendel Edict 1979 and also the Delta state law on traditional rulers and chiefs.

“A letter dated June 1988 to the Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, Delta State about the conduct of election between the last two contestants is in my possession, where it stated that the traditional instrument of authority was lost. The publication in the Vanguard newspaper of 1st October, 2020 against the Osuvie as a female descendant is also relevant here.

“I therefore want to appeal to all sons and daughters of Eghwu Kingdom remain calm and law abiding, that very soon the rightful thing Ovie elect of the kingdom will be crowned after all necessary traditional formalities are completed.”