Conflicts in Delta
OpenLife Nigeria has gathered that cracks have emerged in the traditional and government administrative walls of Delta State.
Insiders aver that the cracks are deeper than many people can see.
According to credible sources in the oil-rich State, the cracks emanated from the unannounced test of strength arising from August 21 events where the State and its stakeholders have been polarized along celebration lines.
The celebration conflicts began when the process of installing the new Olu of Warri, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko was hatched.
The governor, OpenLife was told, was well carried along. He was said to be in the know of all the intricacies that defined the process “And he gave his blessings and supports,” the source said.
However, conflicts in the State began to rear its head when the date for the coronation was being considered.
The new Olu wanted the governor to be physically present at the coronation but that was not to be as the governor had also fixed his father’s burial celebrations for August 21.
All the attempts made for the Olu to change the date so that the governor could attend fell on deaf ears.
Those close to the Olu were said to have boasted that “Even if the governor does not come, it does not matter.”
Speaking with OpenLife on Saturday on the celebrations conflicts, an ally of the new Olu said:
“Though we wanted the governor to attend, there is no way we could shift the date to accommodate the governor’s attendance.
“Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko is coming into office as the 21st Olu of Warri. It is only logical that such an event happens on 21st and today is August 21.
“When you consider that we are in the 21st century, you will understand why we stayed with today’s date with or without the governor’s attendance.
“It goes like this: The 21st Olu of Warri, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, ascended the throne on August 21 in the 21st century. That is unique to us and it is loaded with lots of symbolism and meanings for the new Olu,” he disclosed.
Speaking further, he also enlightened OpenLife on the symbolic importance of August 21 to the governor’s family.
He narrated that governor Ifeanyi Okowa lost his father, Pa Arthur Okorie Okowa, on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at the age of 88.
“On February 16, 2021, the governor buried his father in a private burial with family and close friends.
“From that day, they earnmarked today, August 21, for his father’s life on earth to be celebrated in a big way. The reason for the choice of August 21 is because the man was born on August 21.
“So, the governor’s own is also very symbolic and nothing would change that. “But in all of this, it was the governor that first fixed his date before Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko.
“Therefore, if there was someone who should change the date, it should be the new Olu but the people around him said no.
“No doubt, it is a serious thing. Conflicts, which many are not seeing now, have been planted. There are many dignitaries today in Delta. Some are with Okowa while many others are with Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko . It will reflect in 2023,” the source predicted.
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