Cult groups in Alakahia, Akpor in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State over the weekend denounced their membership of the group.
The youths numbering over 50 trouped out at the community’s playground and not only put hands on paper to affirm their decision but were led on oath by the youth leader, Mr. Godspower Egwutu.
However, the traditional aspect of the Oath taking which normally accompanies such exercise and frighten the youths to submission was missing.
This made the observers at the event which included the security agents, the women groups, chiefs and elders doubt the authencity or efficacy of the exercise. They were however happy for the feat achieved so far to bring them to the round table.
Speaking with newsmen, the Alakahia youth president disclosed that “since the chieftaincy crisis in the community has made it impossible for them to conclude the traditional aspect of the oath taking, it is doubtful if what they are doing will succeed but assured that it is a step in the right direction. On why the suspected cultists could not surrender any of their weapons to be sure they have truly repented, Egwutu said “it does not matter” important thing is that they have agreed to renounce cultism and anybody who goes back to his nefarious activities will face the music”, he declared.
The Youth President made it clear that whatever the court decides will not hold water as their community rely more on the traditional process of choosing a successor of their traditional stool.
The factional traditional ruler of the community, Chief Daniel Dodo used the opportunity to appeal to the repentant cultists and indeed the youths of Alakahia to sheathe their swords and support his chieftaincy ambition in the interest of the community.
He assured them that at the end of the litigation in court however, if the verdict did not favour him, he is ready to step down for the rightful person for peace to reign.
Some of the surrendered cultists confessed that they were lured into cultism by the two camps of the chieftaincy contestants, whom they said used and dump them.
“Most of us are tired of the waiting game and long litigations which has brought destruction of lives and property to our families”, some of them volunteered.
