Irked by what it views as indiscriminate Chieftaincy Installations in Okehi Clan of Etche Local Government Area, the Etche Supreme Area Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs has placed a caveat against such acts, stating that those carrying out the act does not have the locus standi to do so according to Etche customs and tradition.
In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Hezekiah Nwamegbulem, the Council said the only person authorized in Okehi Clan Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, to coronate or install qualified and competent persons as chiefs is the monarch of Okehi Clan, HRM, Eze Ibezim JP, Onye-Isi Agwuru Okehi Clan.
The statement affirmed that by virtue of the coronation of Ibezim by His Eminence Ochie E.N.B. Opurum, MFR, GSSRS, JP, who is the supreme head of the traditional institution and custodian of Etche people and their culture.
The Secretary General further said that, the election/ coronation of HRM Eze Ibezim Eke JP who is the authentic Head of Okehi Clan, was in conformity with the directive from the office of Rivers State Commissioner for Chieftaincy and CommunityAffairs on a letter dated July 1, 2020, empowering the Onye-ishi Etche to fill the Vacant stool of Onye-IshiAgwuru of OkehiClan, adding that the letter gave rise to the election and subsequent coronation of HRM, Eze Ibezim Eke JP as Onye-ishiAgwuru of Okehi Clan on Friday, July 4, 2020.
The Secretary-General described the action of those performing unapproved installations as baseless, impersonation, a ridicule to the chieftaincy institution and disrespect to the seat of Onye-Ishi-Etche-in-Council.
