Citizens of Okaigben community in Esan South East Local Government have faulted claims by one Anthony Ugbegun Osaigbovo claiming to be their traditional ruler.
Osaigbovo had during the recent celebration of the Ukpe-Odu festival-a worship of the goddess Odu- in the community, declared himself Onojie of Okaigben.
But the citizens, under the auspices of Okaigben Development Association, countered his claims, stating that he is only the Chief Priest of Odu deity and not a chief or king.
Spokesperson for the community who is also the immediate past-president of the association, Elder Sam Eboigbe, said the claim by Chief Priest Osaigbovo was not just misleading and untrue, but also “a calculated attempt to cause confusion between Okaigben and Ewohimi”.
Elder Eboigbe stated that HRH Peter Ojiefoh Usifoh 1 is the only recognized Onogie or traditional ruler of Ewohinmi and that Okaigben is an integral part of Ewohinmi kingdom.
“We want to use this opportunity to call on the people of Okaigben and Ewohimi to disregard that mis-information which can cause disunity and peace that has been in existence in Ewohimi Kingdom; We remain an integral part of Ewohimi and without Okaegben, Ewohimi is not complete.”
Eboigbe said, “If we have any dispute, that does not mean that we want to separate ourselves from the community. It is not done. We have hereditary Chiefs in Okaegben. They are all crowned by the Enojie of Ewohimi .It is embarrassing and like we are saying, we have only one Onojie in Ewohimi, Okaegben is part of Ewohimi and there is no reason for another Onojie”.
Reacting to the association’s stand on his unilateral decision, Osaigbovo reaffirmed his claims to being the traditional ruler of Okaigben kingdom, arguing that one of his forefathers was a son of the Oba of Benin who migrated to present day Esanland.
He said those discrediting his claim only have maternal lineage to Ewohinmi, adding, “We have presented papers to the state government and we are yet to get approval for autonomous community. My forefather came from Benin as the forefather of Onojie of Ewohinmi. The people that are talking maybe their mother hail from Ewohinmi. We don’t recognize Onojie of Ewohinmi.”
