Prominent chiefs in Aboh Kingdom, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State, have said there is no dispute arising from the emergence of the new king, Prince Gregory Oputa, as due process was followed before he was crowned.
The chiefs, in a statement, threatened legal processes against any individual or organisation that misinforms the public or casts aspersion on the Imperial Majesty, Obi Gregory Oputa III.
The statement was signed by the Ndanike of Aboh Kingdom, High Chief Paul Resume; the Iyasele of Aboh Kingdom, High Chief Ifeanyi Odili; the Ozeh of Aboh, High Chief Kenneth Odili; and the Isagba Ajieh of Aboh Kingdom, High Chief Chris Ogwu.
“It is a thing of joy that the monarch has emerged in the person of Prince Gregory Oputa and it is our duty as indigenes of Aboh to accord him the respect he deserves as his subjects,” the statement said.
They warned individuals, media houses and social media influencers to stop all forms of actions that could cause disaffection in the Kingdom or project their king negatively before the world.
While calling on all indigenes of the community to rally around the monarch, the chiefs said: “From now on, legal processes would be instituted against any individual or organisation that misinforms the public or casts aspersion on our revered Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III.
“Those who were interested in becoming the king should know that traditionally, the stool is no longer vacant as all the rites have been performed and it is impossible for us to have two kings in Aboh Kingdom at the same time.
“We should also bear in mind that it is the exclusive responsibility of the kingmakers to select who becomes a king in Aboh and they have discharged their functions diligently according to the criteria based on the age-long custom and tradition of Aboh Kingdom.
“We have implicit confidence in Obi Oputa III, in his ability to take Aboh to greater heights; we are also praying that his reign will usher in a more peaceful and prosperous Aboh Kingdom for us to take our pride of place once again as a revered kingdom in the world.
“For the few persons who are not residing in Aboh but are committed to sending out messages that there is a crisis in Aboh over the kingship, we advise that you should make efforts to visit home and see the joy on the faces of our people, and also, enjoy the peace that now pervades the Aboh Kingdom.
“We thank the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, for making Delta State conducive for socio-economic and traditional activities to take place and we look forward to the formal presentation of the Staff of Office to our King, Obi Oputa III.”
DAILY POST recalls that Prince Gregory Oputa was crowned formally as the 20th Obi of Aboh on September 15, 2024, and is addressed as His Imperial Majesty Obi Oputa III.
