By Charles Oviri

THE Urhobo traditional council of chiefs Lagos State has expressed displeasure over a news report credited to Prof. Peter Ekeh, Leader of the Urhobo Historical Society  that the OSU R’Urhobo, Lagos  was allegedly installed by Chief (Engr) Joe Omene as published in December 19, 2016 edition of the Urhobo Voice.

In a communiqué signed by Chiefs Godspower Ikpimi and Johnson Ojakovo, they maintained that the report was done in a bad light, and on the influence of some mischief makers who are hell bent to create discord and acrimony between the OSU institution in Lagos and traditional rulers in Urhobo land.

They added that, the publication was made with the intent to mislead and misinform the traditional rulers to create artificial crisis where there is no crisis.

The Council insisted that, it would like to correct Prof. Ekeh that, Chief (Engr) Joe Omene did not installed nor issued any certificate of return to any monarch in Lagos State, saying that, the installation of OSU IV was already done in November 3, 2016, before the visit of Chief (Engr) Joe Omene to Lagos  several weeks later.

According to the Council “It is therefore absurd and very unhealthy for a renowned professor to attempt to incite the royal fathers against a noble institution that has been in existence for more than 83 years” It explained that, the crisis that trailed the selection process of OSU IV which almost tear Urhobo  in Lagos into factions was successfully brokered by UPU Lagos State, and the decision reached was also published in the Urhobo Voice edition of October 17, 2016.

They maintained that under the late Osu III, the Council had a good working relationship with the late Gen.Patrick Aziza led UPU national executives, warning any group or individual to refrain and restrain themselves from any attempt advertently or inadvertently to drag the OSU institution into the crisis plaguing Urhobo nation as a result of the fall out of UPU elections.

The Council however assured the royal fathers of their readiness to honour invitation to explain and clarify issues relating to the institution of the OSU R’Urhobo in Lagos and the crisis that trailed the selection process of OSU IV, High Chief Vincent Ogheneochuko Ahwi, even as they pledge continued loyalty to the traditional rulers, royal fathers and Urhobo Progress Union (UPU).