The tussle for the Odiologbo of Irri Kingdom last weekend assumed a new dimension with the reported crowning of Eloho Jacko by the ‘Osewo’ of Irri clan, Chief Omohefe Goodluck, as the ‘authorised’ representative of the Omode family vested with such authority.
According to Eloho Jacko, he has been duly crowned as the Odiologbo of Irri by the ‘Osewo’ after fulfilling all the traditional rites; adding that strangers and intruders who do not know the nitty gritty of Irri tradition should stay off the internal matters of the Clan.
He stated that “Irri throne is not political and not for cultist but purely traditional, the surrounding communities do not have any hand in the installation of the Odiologbo of Irri, therefore they should hands off”.
He expressed his readiness to carry everybody along in the affairs of Irri clan.
When contacted, the ‘Osewo’, Omohefe told our reporters that he followed all due process in addition to complying with the agreement reached at the Area Commander’s office, Ozoro to explore the traditional oath-taking amongst the options agreed by all parties, which he claimed “Igbogidi and his followers reneged”.
“I have crowned Chief Eloho Jacko as the Odiologbo with the right materials required for the traditional staff (Ovo) of office. This empowers the crowned Odiologbo, Jacko to proceed to the relevant authorities to perfect the process of receiving the state government’s staff of office”.
Chief Omohefe further stated that “Everyone, including those supporting this erroneous act, are warned to steer clear of challenging the oath “Ovo” that I have performed or be ready to face the consequences including the ancestral penalty of untimely death, various degrees of afflictions and others”
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On the other hand, the other contender to the stool, Simon Odhomo (Igbogidi) stated affirmatively that he is the rightful person to ascend the throne of the Odiologbo of Irri Clan. He promised to claim the stool on the ground that his co-contender is from the same ruling house with the immediate past Odiologbo of Irri clan, HRH Aghagba Amathovo 1.
“As far as I am concerned, I am next in line of the Odiologbo of Irri because I have completed all the rites and rituals. If I did not do the needful, the gods of this land will strike; if my lineage is not in the line of the stool, I will not fight for it.
“Osewo, Omohefe has broken the rules of Irri, he has been compromised”.
In addition, Odhomo stated that his claim is also backed by the then Bendel state Edict of 1978/1979 as it affects Irri clan.
Also when contacted, the President-General of Irri Federated Union, Chief Ubuwere Adonis, told reporters that the authentic Osewo of Irri Clan is Friday Ewoterai, from Imedo family, first son of Omode, the founder of Irri Clan.
He asserted that Simon Odhomo (Igbogidi) is the popular choice of Irri people and that any other person parading himself as the Odiologbo of Irri Clan other than Igbogidi is fake and should be ignored.
As of the time of filing this report, all efforts to reach the authorities of Isoko South Local Government Council on their reaction to the issue proved abortive as both the Chairman and Secretary were not on seat at the time of visit.
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