BREAKING: Seimbiri Traditional Council of Chiefs Dismisses Alleged Installation of Eric Werikemebagha as King

By Prevail Justice, Warri

The Seimbiri Traditional Council of Chiefs has dismissed reports of an alleged installation of a new king in the Seimbiri Kingdom, describing the purported development as unauthorised and lacking the recognition of the appropriate traditional authorities.

The Council, in a statement jointly signed by Chief TMO Doglas, Chief F. Aurthor, Chief D. Yingi and others said the reported installation of Mr Eric Werikemebagha by suspected family members of Edegbene community did not follow the established customs, traditions and procedures governing the selection and installation of a monarch in the kingdom.

It urged members of the public, indigenes and stakeholders to disregard any claim suggesting that a valid kingship installation had taken place, stressing that the Council remains committed to protecting the traditional institution and ensuring that due process is followed.

“We are asking members of the public, indigenes and stakeholders to disregard any claim suggesting that a valid kingship installation had taken place, the Council remains committed to protecting the traditional institution and ensuring that due process is followed” – it added.

The chiefs further called for calm among the people of the Seimbiri kingdom and appealed to all parties to avoid actions or statements capable of escalating tensions over the traditional stool.

The Council maintained that any legitimate process concerning the emergence of a monarch must be conducted in accordance with the customs and traditions of the kingdom and with the involvement of the duly constituted traditional authorities, and not to be presided by a single community or family.

It therefore cautioned individuals and groups against presenting the alleged installation as an established fact, pending the resolution of the matter through the appropriate traditional and lawful channels.