By Sunday Memeh
Published January 20, 2015
Published January 20, 2015
There was a big battle at Okpe community in Abavo kingdom in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, as Mr. Okonta Ewere refused to succeed his late father, Mr Okonta Joseph, the Chief Priest of Okpe community who joined his ancestors on the 15th of December, 2014.
Speaking with newsmen, Mr Nelson Melekwe, Secretary to the Community Development Union, said that Mr. Joseph Okonta was the Chief Priest in charge of the Edofi (gods) of Okpe community before his death. He further started that whenever the Chief Priest dies his first son or the only son will succeed him by being installed as the next Chief Priest.
In addition to the above, the Secretary noted that the battle between Okonta's family and the entire Okpe community arose when Mr. Ewere Okonta refused to take over the Edofi gods from his late father. He emphasised that this has been the custom and traditions of the land as as such it is mandatory for Ewere to be officially and traditionally installed as the next Chief Priest of the community. He said that anything short of that Ewere will either run mad or be used to sacrifice to the gods whenever he returns home, before Elders of the land will decide who to take over the gods from another family.
Ika Weekly reporter also learned that Ewere is a devoted Christian and that it is the reason why he refused to succeed his late father. They said he was forced to g do so but due to his commitment and diligence to his Christian race he had to refuse the offer. As at the time of filing this report on the 20th of January2015 Were was nowhere to be found as he has run out of the community for the safety of his life.
