Prominent Chiefs in Aboh Kingdom, Ndokwa East local government area of the state, have threatened legal processes against any individual or organisation that misinforms the public or casts aspersions on the Imperial Majesty, Obi Gregory Oputa III.
The chiefs, in a statement which was made available to newsmen, stated that “There is no dispute arising from the emergence of the new King, Prince Gregory Oputa, as due process was followed before he was crowned as the King’ amid jubilation by the people of Aboh Kingdom.”
The statement, signed by the Ndanike of Aboh Kingdom, High Chief Paul Resume, 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, said that “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.”
They warned those few individuals, their cronies, media houses, and social media influencers to stop all actions that would cause disaffection in the kingdom or negatively project their king before the world.
While calling on all indigenes of the community to rally around the monarch they warned, “From now on, legal processes will be instituted against any individual or organisation that misinforms the public or casts aspersions 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 the 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 age-long custom and tradition of the 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 and his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, for making Delta State conducive to socio-economic and traditional activities. We look forward to the formal presentation of Staff of Office to our King, Obi Oputa III.” the statement said.
It would be recalled that on September 15, 2024, in a colourful ceremony that witnessed jubilation in all parts of Aboh Kingdom, Prince Gregory Oputa was formally crowned the 20th Obi of Aboh and addressed as His Imperial Majesty Obi Oputa III.