Tight Security As Delta Deputy Governor Presents Staff Of Office To Monarch Amid Court Restraining Order

The Delta State Government on Wednesday presented a Staff of Office, symbol of authority to HRM Paul Ifenazuchie, the substantive king of Amai Kingdom amidst tight security.

BigPen Online had earlier reported that tension mounted the community over the event following a restraining order from the court which ordered that none of the parties to the throne should be presented with the Staff pending the determination of the substantive suit.

It was not clear however if the order was vacated before the event as the state government counsel in the last court appearance had tried to convinced the trial Judge to vacate the order.

But the state government, however reportedly defying the court order, went ahead and presented the staff of office to one of the King-elect amidst tight security provided by battalion of men of the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Directorate of Security Services, DSS.

The event that lasted for just a few minute was shunned by leadership of Amai Development Union and some aggrieved stakeholders in the community.

The road leading to the venue of the event was condoled off and all the exit and strategic places in the town were also manned by fierce looking solders throughout the duration that saw Otuaro presenting the Staff to the monarch.

There was uneasy calm however in the community throughout the duration of the event with no fanfare as was customary of such ceremony.

It was learnt that before the arrival of the deputy governor, the youths of the community were pressured to stand down their plans to disrupt the event.

On arrival at the venue, Otuaro went straight to perform the task of presentation of the staff of office after a brief speech to admonished the people to live in peace. Only the Chairman of the local council, Mr Dafe Chukwudi spoke at the ceremony.

After the presentation, the deputy governor was escorted out of the community by hordes of Army’s vehicles through the Amai-Obiaruku route.

Other motorcade of the government like the press crew, and others left the venue in a similar manners to Asaba through the Amai-Ogume-Kwale route.

Meanwhile, some indigenes told one of our reporter that the state government has betrayed the people and vowed to work against the government during the 2019 election.

“After working for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to win election in 2015, this is how he is paying us”, one of the indigene who didn’t want his name mentioned said.

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa have enjoined all communities across the State to continue on the path of peace, understanding, love and affection irrespective of ethnic, religious, political or social differences.

Governor Okowa stated this on Wednesday while officially presenting Staff of office to His Royal Majesty, Obi Agbogidi Raphael Okonkwo Agbamuche 11, the Obi of Onicha-Uku Kingdom, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.

The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Kingsley Otuaro, said peaceful change especially in ascending traditional stools is a good example that every community should adopt.

The governor who commended the peaceful process leading to the enthronement of the traditional ruler, urged the people to accord their traditional ruler the respect he sincerely deserves.