Caleb Edema, it appears from your response that you are not fully aware of the intrigues that played out during the selection process. Firstly, Chief Eyewuoma was ambushed by Pa Oparuku, who alleged that Eyewuoma descended from the female lineage of Ologbotsere. Even after the noble man explained himself, the same Olare-Aja of Jakpa emphasized that Eyewuoma should tell that truth as he would certainly investigate it further. What an insult! These hawks in the Ologbotsere family who found it too difficult to cope with his level of integrity further put it to him that his father is from the Iyatsere family and that it is his mother that comes from the Ologbotsere family. All these allegations were clarified yet they were not satisfied. Finally, they set-up a committee to investigate the issues and agreed to submit the report before the names were submitted to Ogiame.
At the next meeting, these hawks scheming with their diabolical plans cooked from the pit of hell, insisted that they must attach the findings of their investigations to the list to be submitted to Ogiame. They insisted on this since the move to remove Eyewuoma’s name from the list thereby making Ayiri the sole candidate failed. Some very wise persons who deemed fit not to join issues with them applied diplomacy, and thus opined that both names should be sent since Ogiame had initially requested for three names. Consequently, it was agreed that the final decision should be left to Ogiame alone! Whoever disputes these accounts should please avail Iwere with the unedited minutes of the meetings. I witnessed it all.
On the issues you raised that Ogiame has not made his choice again I disagree. Yes he has communicated his decision. I agree with you that it should not be challenged since absolute power to do so reside with him. However, the basis for selection as I learnt is what baffles me. I was duly informed by some members of the Ologbostere family that Ogiame consulted the Olare-Aja of Jakpa who insisted that the title should not be given to Eyewuoma because he is of the female line. That was the only basis for the selection. Ogiame accepted that while rejecting the true account of Eyewuoma. Let me make something very clear, while Chief Eyewuoma may decide not to challenge the decision of the king, I am absolutely sure every Eyewuoma descendant and Orogun indigenes would reject and condemn that premise in the strongest possible terms. We were told that the decision of the Ogiame would be made after the Oracle(Ifa) has been consulted not Olare-Aja of Jakpa.
Gabriel Eyewuoma has every right and moral standing to react as he is not just an Itsekiri but also a member of the Ologbotsere family without any recourse to his father. The issue of his post doing any damage to his father’s chances is inconsequential now. I am pretty sure the Old man would be less interested in any quest that seeks to rewrite his history, the Ologbotsere title inclusive.
