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By Young Erhiurhoro
We are at this time perturbed and perplexed over the above question because we are today having two different “Odion’Rodes” in Evwreni kingdom. One is produced by the Unenurhie people while the other one is produced by the Okpahwa group. Before now, it wasn’t like this in the history of Evwreni kingdom. It’s like we are in a new era and our history is largely distorted by those who called themselves “kingmakers”. We are like a farmer who is at a crossroad. We don’t even know the right part to follow to end this tortuous and unsuccessful journey. This is a journey our forbears had embarked upon many years ago, they couldn’t end it with fruitful results, even though they won some of the legal cases. Many generations had past, yet the story still remain the same. It was a recycling experience. Now, it’s our time, we are still passing through the same bitter and rigorous experiences.
In fact, how can a community of indigenes and full citizens of this country, not slaves or servants, pass through this kind of enslavement and political oppression? On our part as a people, we strongly believe that, the making of Evwreni kingdom is incomplete without the inclusion of Unenurhie community. But to the Evwreni man, the reverse is the case. Yet, we are perpetually tying our tail on the neck of the Evwreni people to survive in this federated union. The Evwreni people have been passing a very strong message to us as a community, but our leaders, even from the time past, blatantly refused to listen. This is why, we are where we are today without any singular change to move forward or have a kind of reformation as a people.
The issue of the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom is not a new issue in the traditional affairs of Evwreni kingdom. It has caused threats and internal arguments which had ended up in several litigations. This issue is primarily between Okpahwa and Unenurhie. It’s a claim of the rightful owner of the Odion’Rode traditional position in the kingdom. As it’s today in the history of Evwreni kingdom, the Ovie is the recognized clan head of the kingdom. The Ovie is the one recognized by the government, corporate entities and individuals. Now after the Ovie, the next in command in the traditional affairs in the kingdom is the Odion’Rode.
However, the question in the lip of every Unenurhie indigene is, between Okpahwa and Unenurhie, who is to produce the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom? This question has been looking for answers many years ago without finding none. In this case, it’s like the Evwreni hegemony has deliberately put palm oil in a plate for two dogs to lick. That’s the Odion’Rode produced by the Unenurhie people and the one produced by the Okpahwa group. What will actually be the end result of this action or relationship? Those of us on the part of Unenurhie community have started experiencing the end result of this untamed fierce. The results are not worth celebrating because they are all placed on the negative side of the platter. Till this very moment, the Okpahwa group in Evwreni town are agitating that, they are the rightful owner and producer of the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom. The Unenurhie people are also claiming that, they are the rightful owner and producer of the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom.
On 11th April, 2026, the Okpahwa group officially presented their installed Odion’Rode to the Evwreni people and the world around us. This is just to add salt to our unhealed wounds. Unfortunately, the question still remains, between Okpahwa and Unenurhie, who is to produce the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom? At this time, let’s be sincere and proactive in our judgements. The Ovie is the clan head and all these manipulations, maneuvering and upturn of historical records by the Okpahwa group against the Unenurhie people are happening under his watchful eyes. Till this very moment, as the clan head, he hasn’t given any press briefing or public discourse over the issue of the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom. It’s expedient to hear from the horse’s mouth at this moment. Anyway, it’s a pity!
More importantly, the Unenurhie people as accepted and recognized part of the Evwreni kingdom, are again calling on the reverred monarch as the clan head to prove his innocence before the Unenurhie people over this Odion’Rode title by first, organize a well co-ordinated press conference over this issue, by telling the world, the position of the Odion’Rode produced by Unenurhie people in the Evwreni traditional institutions. The Ovie as the clan head should put an end over this unnecessary struggle between the Okpahwa and Unenurhie people on who should produce the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom by sharing his thoughts, views and opinions on the said matter without compromise and further delay.
Secondly, let the Ovie as the clan head and the president-general of Evwreni Clan Improvement Union, call an urgent meeting of all the communities and villages making the Evwreni kingdom to address this issue of the Odion’Rode title once and for all. Let it be finalized in that meeting, the rightful people to produce the Odion’Rode of Evwreni kingdom. We demand to know whether it’s Okpahwa or Unenurhie. This is the only way to end this battle. Seeking redress in the court of law, to me, it’s just a waste of time and financial resources. The problem will linger on without tangible solutions.
Conclusively, if the Ovie, the Unenurhie people look unto as their last hope of survival in this struggle refuses to take bold action in implementing the above suggested actions, then it means, they are indirectly telling us that, Unenurhie community is no longer part of Evwreni kingdom and they can independently be on their own. We should all know that, we are today living in a modern world. A world that is governed by law. That’s, an agreed process of doing things. We can’t be in a group or union, and we are expected to be shortchanged in all areas making the group at every time. This is uncalled for in a modern world. We, as responsible people, don’t want to take the laws into our hands for us to retain our identity, history, freedom, independence and sovereignty. This is why we are calling on the Ovie and other leaders in the kingdom to do the needful now that the sun shines. They should call these urgent meetings as soon as possible to address this issue, for the Unenurhie people to know where they belong and the position of their Odion’Rode in the making of Evwreni kingdom. If they refuse to call these meetings, then it will be safer for us to address our Odion’Rode as, “the Odion’Rode of Unenurhie community”. I rest my case.
Young Erhiurhoro;Kjc, is former Secretary-General, Unenurhie community.