Community Embraces Peace Over Monarch’s Installation

Peace has  finally returned to Rumuekpe Community in Emohua Local Government Area, sequel to the installation of Eze Christian Evekwu as its Paramount ruler.
Evekwu who spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt, explained that his  selection  and coronation was in accordance with the custom and tradition of the community.
He noted  that those  against his choice were those disqualified during the process based on traditional grounds. 
“The entire community gathered in accordance with the Rumuekpe tradition, all the heads of each of the eight villages that made up the Clan were represented  at “Ogbakiri Eze”  shrine  to witness the traditional oath taking and installation of the new king, the oldest man of the community was represented by his son due to health challenges and the event went successfully”, he said.
The Rumuekpe monarch, hinted that the decision to have a traditional ruler in the community, was informed by the State Government’s request to have a King in the area who it would use to reach the people.
Giving more insights into his choice as monarch, he said, those disqualified were not upto 60 years of age as required by its custom and tradition.
“For one to so qualify and enter the “Ogbakiri Eze” forest, such  person must be 60 years and  above”, he said.
According to him, he was the first  to  take the  oath of office at the “Ogbakiri Eze” forest since the existence of the community.
He also hinted his successors passed through appointment and selection outside the shrine, and added    that his reasons to drag some persons to court years back was to protect his  kingship of Omagwa village.
The Eze Rumuekpe further said that he was at the fore front of development of Rumuekpe Community  since he became the Community Development Committee Secretary in 1983.
  “When  I  was the CDC secretary of the Community in 1983, I brought Community Secondary School Rumuekpe, gave several indigenes job opportunity and  dragged NDDC to the community as well as  initiation of peace move among other things”, he said. 
However, he called on  aggrieved persons to join hands with him in order to bring  the expected development  to the community.
In his speech, a former member of Rumuekpe Community Development Committee, Mr Clement Azubumdu explained that all the eight  villages  of  tthe community were happy on the choice of Eze Christian Evekwu based on his excellent  track records.

By: King Onunwor