“Why S/West monarch withdrew Rochas Okorocha’s chieftaincy title”

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Otunba Asoludero chieftaincy title scheduled to be conferred on Senator Rochas Okorocha by Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has been withdrawn.

Oba Akinyemi, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom of Yewa -North Local Government Area of Ogun State announced the withdrawal on Monday.

In a release sighted by Nation Update, the first-class traditional ruler said the title installation ceremony scheduled for September 19 has been canceled.

In a letter dated August 9, signed by the Oba and addressed to Okorocha sighted the withdrawal as an act of God.

The letter earlier issued to the former Imo State governor by the monarch had rationalized his, “exemplified track record of unifying different tribes across the country” as basis for the conferment of the title on him.

However, contrary to the earlier grounds for the title conferment on the ex-governor, the Oba, in his letter to Okorochas on Monday, explained that the chieftaincy title was withdrawn “in the interest of peace and harmony”.

He claimed the Iselu kingdom still held Okorocha in high esteem, and advised him to accept the withdrawal, as an act of God.

“Senator sir, I must state that my decision to withdraw the chieftaincy title earlier coffered on you is not premised on any hatred for you but is done in the interest of peace and harmony.

“For the records, I want to declare to Your Excellency that Eselu-in-Council and the good people of Iselu Kingdom, will continue to love you and other well-meaning Nigerians, home and abroad.

“Your Excellency should note that the doors of my palace will continue to remain open to you and other patriotic Nigerians, at all times for the progress of my community and Nigeria, in general.

“My advice to Your Excellency is that you should continue to help the needy in Nigeria, especially through your Foundation.

“Also, do not forget that development of every society requires all hands to be on deck; hence Your Excellency’s continuous show of love towards the development of Iselu Kingdom will always be greatly appreciated.

“Sir, it is my belief that what tomorrow will be, will be determined by the future.

“Therefore, I appeal that you should see this development as an act of God. I pray to the Almighty God to continue to be with you in your political career and in all your endeavours.

“Any inconveniences this withdrawal of the chieftaincy title might have caused you, are indeed regretted.

“Please, accept the assurances of my esteemed regard,” the letter read.

It will be recalled that an a High Court sitting in Owerri presided over by Justice Fred Njemanze

on Monday ordered the final forfeiture of properties allegedly owned by Sen. Okorocha and his family members.

Okorocha had held sway as the governor of the state between 2011 to 2019.

The court asserted that there were no verifiable reasons before it that the properties should not be forfeited to the State Government and that the white paper gazette covering the land matters remained a legal binding document.