By Ambrose Ologide.
Kingsley Orereh has been installed as the Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom.
He emerged as the new Ovie of Agbarha Warri after an election conducted by the king makers of the ancient Urhobo Kingdom of Agbarha Warri at Agbarha Warri Regency Hall Igbudu Community, Warri South Local Government Area on Tuesday 5th December, 2023 .
Orereh was overwhelmingly voted for by the king makers. He scored 5 votes out of the 6 votes of the king makers as one of the kingmakers abstained from the exercise.
The contestants in the royal contest were : Kingsley Orereh, Chief Israel Abido JP, High Chief Michael Cahier Ikpuri JP, Odafe kpesu an engineer and Chief Pius Omasanuwa who was absent during the exercise.
While those who voted included : the Okpako R Ovwodo of ( the most eldest man ) of Agbarha Warri kingdom Chief Pa Jonathan Ashimo Ayiwe JP, the Okpako R Ovwodo (most eldest man) of Ogunu Community Chief Pa Johnson Edjenavwo, the Okpako R Ovwodo ( the most eldest man) of Ukpokiti Community High Chief William Igben ( fondly called Edio )and the Okpako R Ovwodo ( the most eldest man) of Okurode ( Ekurede Urhobo )Community Chief Stephen Okandeji .
While the Chief Priest of Owhurie Deity abstained from the exercise.
He however stated that he will support the outcome of the election
The eldest man of Agbarha Warri kingdom Chief Pa Ayiwe immediately performed the installation of the new Agbarha Warri monarch who was thereafter excorted to Edion Hall at Otovwodo Agbassa Community Warri ( traditional headquarters ) of Agbarha Warri kingdom for a traditional prayer by High Chief Pa Jonathan Ashimo Ayiwe.
The Chairman of Agbarha Warri Regency Council High Chief Willie Atabefia Digbori JP and the Secretary of the council Chief Peter Ovie Okpeh who spoke to our correspondent in an exclusive media chat shortly after the event, expressed gratitude to God that the installation was done without rancour.
The crowning of a new Agbarha Warri traditional ruler followed the demise of the first traditional ruler of the kingdom in recent time, HRM London Aforkerhi Itu ( JP) Ememoh 11 (of blessed memory ) who joined his ancestors on the 12th of December , 2022 .
