Gov. Oshiomhole Deposes Edo Monarch over Alleged Assault on a Woman During Election

Anslem Eidenojie II

The face off between the Edo state government and the monarch of Uromi town has reached a climax with his deposition.

The Adams Oshiomhole-government, in a terse statement on Wednesday by its secretary, Professor Julius Ihonvbere announced the decision.

Government in a letter earlier today  conveyed its decision to the deposed king, Ojuromi of Uromi.

The letter addressed him ordinarily as Anselm O. Eidenojie.

The government’s statement which was titled: “Deposition from Office as Ojuromi of Uromi: Addendum”, read:

Please be informed that the initial Exco decision of 26th October 2016 has been further affirmed.

Consequently, you have been deposed as the Ojuromi of Uromi pursuant to Section 28 (i & ii) of the Traditional Rulers & Chiefs Law, 1979.

Kindly, therefore, disregard our letter of 4th November 2016 on the subject ‘Re: Letter of Apology to Edo State Government’.

The king’s problem with the Oshiomhole government began on September 28 when he was accused of assaulting a woman during the polls.

He was also accused of interfering in the conduct of the election, leaving his palace to canvass votes for the PDP candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The Edo State Government gave him a query and ordered him to apologise to the woman he allegedly assaulted.

The dethroned king allegedly ignored the letter and even ignored the government by travelling out of his domain.

He was then placed on a 7-day suspension and a letter of apology was demanded from him for snubbing the government and failing to apologise to the lady assaulted.

On 4 November, the government stepped up its sanctions by suspending the king known as Zaiki Edenojie II for one year, effective from Monday.

In addition, the monarch who ruled the home town of Tony Anenih, a PDP leader, was stripped of all his rights and privileges that he had hitherto exercised. He was also to lose a share of the five per cent revenue accruing to the local council.

“He is now to lose his throne and become an ordinary citizen: Aselm O Eidenoije,” the statement read.