OSAGIE'S NEW TITLE: No Ora Chief has the Rght, Power to Confer Honorary Title on Anyone - Ojehomon

By Simeon OSAJIE

Ora Sons and Daughters Association, Owan West local government area of Edo State has reacted to the honorary chieftaincy title on Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, governorship candidate of Action Progressive Congress (APC) as the 'Oyakhire of Ora'.

In a press statement issued and signed by its Chairman, Omololu Ojehomon said, "at no time did the Oje of Ora elect, Prof. Joshua Aisiku get involved in conferment of an honorary title of Oyakhire on Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu".

The statement reads,  “There’s jubilation in the camp of APC as the Palace of the Oje of Ora in Owan West LGA of Edo state, yesterday 27th of August, conferred a honorary chieftaincy title of Oyakhire' meaning, 'he who wipes our tears', on the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo Governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

"There is no title known as Okpojenagan of Ora. There is Okpojenagan of Ohia-Ojiwere, the youngest Chief in Ohia.  No Chief has the right, power to confer honorary title, that right rest on the Oje of Ora, exclusively!

"The two Chiefs in Ohia have no locus to offer titles nor cast aspersions on the good work Governor Obaseki has done in Ora and will continue to do for his Ora people.

Omololu's  statement further emphasized that, after the said publication, a thorough investigation was carried out and later find out that, "there is a matter in court on the issue of the Oje of Ora elect.

"On the day in question, August 27, 2020, the Oje of Ora elect was in a meeting of Evbiobe at Eguarelu for an extended period of time.   After the meeting he proceeded to his father’s house in Obe Street in the company of Chief Ojeiwa, Chief David George (the Obenokhua of Evbiobe)  Air Force Officer, David Okanigbuan, Mr Frank Enude, Mr. Daniel Eghorawere and others.

"At no time did the Oje of Ora elect, Prof. Joshua Aisiku discuss, entertain or get involved in conferring the honorary title of Oyakhire on Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu/

"We understand that these are desperate times in politics. However, we must correct the blatant abuse on us as Ora people, an attack on our traditional institution and the impunity of the APC candidate to drag the Ora people into his web of lies.

"We reject this and have asked our Oje of Ora Elect to make a public statement in respect to this abuse, impersonation and illegal acquisition of title in Ora.

"The sons and daughters of Ora appreciate the good work Governor Godwin Obaseki is doing and we support him for second term," she said.