By Lucky Akoza
Tension is currently brewing in Uwheru
Kingdom in the Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State following the reinstatement by the council Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo,
of the President-General of the kingdom, Chief Macpherson Igbedi, who was suspended by the traditional institution of the Uwheru kingdom.
The ever peaceful kingdom was thrown into crisis as every commercial activity, school, market and other businesses were shut down in a protest by every facet of the kingdom, youths, women and elders saying, “Macpherson must go”.
The protesters who carried out various placards, chanting “Macpherson Igbedi must go, we don’t want Macpherson as our PG”, appeal to the governor of Delta State, RT Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, to come to their rescue to avoid throwing the kingdom into chaos.
The youth leader, Comrade Otuogba Mudiaga, while addressing newsmen during the protest, said the entire Uwheru kingdom appreciated the efforts of the executive chairman of Ughelli North and security agencies towards peace and stability, but frowned at the decision of Jaro Egbo to reinstate the former suspended PG without consulting the traditional institution of the kingdom.
He further stated that the entire kingdom has rejected Macpherson Igbedi from remaining PG due to his gross misconduct, neglect of traditional institutions, and other activities against the kingdom’s wishes.
According to the youth leader, “There was a time the youth protested against Macpherson Igbedi’s activities and the king of Uwheru kingdom invited him, but he ignored the king, and he was suspended.
He said, after his suspension, an investigative committee was set up, and its report was reviewed by broad-based representatives of the kingdom, to which Chief Macpherson was invited for the second time, but he ignored it.
All efforts by both the traditional authority of Uwheru and stakeholders to engage suspended PG to allow him to respond to the allegations against him were rebuffed.
Chief Stephen Edewor, Chief Steve Wack Obruche and the woman leader of Uwheru kingdom, Mrs Omotejohwo who spoke to newsmen said Macpherson Igbedi can no longer rule the kingdom again saying that leadership without legitimacy and acceptance of the people cannot foster peace, and that any attempt to impose a leader that the people and kingdom have rejected is risking deepening tension.
They therefore call on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to intervene, saying that Jaro Egbo cannot impose a leader on the entire kingdom that the kingdom has rejected.
The current President General, Wilson Oghenerukevwe Umukoro, in his speech promised to be transparent and committed to the progress and development of the Uwheru kingdom.
When contacted, Chief Macpherson Igbedi said all the allegations against him were false, adding that he was not the one who reinstated himself, but the council Chairman, and it was in their presence.
