Ahta Oro VIII: Boycott purported presentation of Offong Odiong Akan as new Ahta Oro – Kingmakers warn
… Describe purported aelection of Offong Akan as desecration of Oro Tradition, Norms, Culture
…Say processes of selecting new Ahta Oro willl be announced soon
By ANIETIE ESU
The Obio Ifong Isong Oro (OIIO) formerly known as Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR), the apex traditional institution in Oro Nation has urged the peace loving people of Oro and the general public to shun thep presentation of the Paramount Ruler of Oron Local Government Area,HRM Offong Odiong Akan as Ahta Oro VIII, today, Saturday,August 21,2021,n that the “so-called presentation” is capable of breaching the existing peace in the area.
The kingmakers of Oro Nation gave the warning yesterday while interacting with newsmen in Oron.
Speaking through its Chairman,HRM Offong E. M.Unanaowo (JP) and the Secretary,HRH Offong Etim Oquong (JP), the Obio described the purported selection of Offong Odiong Akan on June 4, 2021 as Ahta Oro VIII by few suspended members without the overwhelming support of members as a desecration of the tradition, norms, and culture of Oro people.
The apex traditional institution said in selecting the new Ahta Oro, the Council must allow the mourning period of 90 days being a mark of respect and honour to the departed Ahta to elapse among other stipulated conditions.
According to them, the guidelines for the selection of the Grand Traditional Monarch of Oro Nation was grossly violated by just three “suspended and disgruntle” members who unlawfully brought in other persons who are not kingmakers to purportedly select Offong Odiong Akan as the Ahta Oro VIII in clear contravention of the norms for entroning the Patriarch.
“The duties of selecting Ahta Oro is entirely the responsibility of Obio Ifong Isong Oro (OIIO),which was formerly known as Council of Oro Traditional Rulers (COTR).In fact,Obio Ifong Isong Oro is a direct translation of Council of Oro Traditional Rulers into Oro language in consonant with the contemporary norms in the traditional institutions all over Nigeria where traditional bodies bears traditional names.So, the people who purported to have selected His Royal Majesty,Offong Odiong Akan as Ahta Oro the 8th has no business in selecting the Ahta.The guidelines provides that the position of Ahta Oro who is a Grand Patriarch of Oro Nation has to rotate among the eleven clans of Oro Nation.
“Ibighi clan where Offong Odiong Akan comes from and other six clans have gotten its fair share. In fact, His Royal Majesty, Offong Uwe Otoyo Akan of blessed memory, the biological brother of His Royal Majesty, Offong Odiong Akan was the Ahta Oro II,” the Obio stated.
The Kingmakers said they would soon announce the processes of selecting the new Ahta Oro in line with the laid down principles and tradition of Obio Ifong Isong Oro and that when that time comes the greater majority of the traditional rulers in Oro Nation who are kingmakers will come together to select the authentic Ahta Oro VIII.
