The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro has vehemently denied having a hand in the ongoing crisis in the Ugborodo Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.
Otuaro further denied media reports that suggested that he has been surreptitiously planning to install the monarch of the community as a superior ”King”.
In a press statement released on his behalf by Mr Bulou Kosin, his Media Special Assistant, the Deputy Governor wondered how peddlers of the false information expects those familiar with his antecedents to believe such insinuations, which he said are baseless.
The statement reads; ”The attention of the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. (Deacon) Kingsley Burutu Otuaro has been drawn to insinuations in the media space that he is behind the ongoing crisis in Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State. The allegations further stated that Barr. Otuaro is in moves to install Benson Omadeli, the Olaja-Orori of Ugborodo as “King of Ugborodo Kingdom”.
”The Deputy Governor of Delta State wishes to state that the insinuations are baseless, as they are unfortunate and wonders if the peddlers intended their audience to actually believe the lies.
”Barr. Otuaro avers as follow: that I am an Ijaw man from Gbaramatu Kingdom and have no hand in the Ugborodo communal crisis. The people of Gbaramatu Kingdom see the Itsekiri people of Ugborodo as immediate neighbors and brothers and have lived with them in peace for a long time.
”History bears testimony that as a person, I, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, championed peace between the Ijaw and entire Itsekiri nation, which includes Ugborodo, during the inter-ethnic Warri crisis, that eventually brought peace since 2004.
”Since assumption of office as Deputy Governor, I have continued to traverse the riverside Ijaw and Itsekiri communities, in search of peace in the promotion of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Smart Agenda, to attract government attention and investors to the areas which need peace for rapid development.”
Barr. Otuaro’s statement went down memory lane, to explain his roles as an individual, who builds bridges.
”The unfortunate internal crisis in Ugborodo is known to predate the incumbent Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration, in which, I am the Deputy Governor. It is therefore patently unfair for anybody to create mischief, by holding Otuaro out as being behind the Ugborodo internal crisis.
”Those familiar with the method for recognising another King from a Kingdom, know that there are procedures to be religiously followed, and these involve several stakeholders.
”For the avoidance of doubt, there are no moves overtly or covertly supported by Barr. Otuaro, to make anybody “King of Ugborodo Kingdom”.
”While the general public is hereby informed to disregard the allegations, I wish to appeal on behalf of the Delta State Government to all communities in the state, to pursue peace and good neighbourliness for the development of the state.”
-BY SHINA BADMUS
Support Quality Journalism in the Niger Delta Region
Join us in our mission to bring development journalism, cultural preservation, and environmental awareness to the forefront. Your contribution makes a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta. Donate today and be a part of the change!
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.