By Egbe Attah, Otukpo
Youths in Otukpo metropolis this morning embarked on protest over purported plan to remove the District Head of Otukpo, Dr John Eimonye.
The protesters, who blocked major roads in the metropolis said they were registering their dismay over an alleged plan by the powers-that-be to remove their monarch.
Speaking to The Voice, on the conditions of annoymity, one of the protesters said “we’re trying to tell the authorities to stay off from our traditional affairs,” stressing that they reliably learnt that plans were underway to unseat the Och’Otukpo Odu.
Reacting to the incident, the paramount ruler of Otukpo, the Och’Otukpo Odu, Dr John Eimonye called for calm in Otukpo metropolis.
The royal father, who made the appeal on Thursday at his palace in Otukpoicho, said there are civilized ways of adressing issues through government established machineries.
The Och’Otukpo Odu, who spoke through the Secretary of the Otukpo District Traditional Council, Chief Udeh Adole, said there are procedures for selecting beaded chiefs which the government is aware.
He stated that government has not removed him neither is there any plan to remove him.
The Odu, said peace is priceless and he would continue to do everything within his God-given power to ensure that peace reigns supreme in Otukpo and the entire Idoma kingdom.
Meanwhile, our correspondent’s attempt to reach the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Otukpo, Peter Okechukwu, for comment on the issue was not successful, as he simply referred the reporter to the State Police Public Relations Officer.
He, however, confirmed the incident but said normalcy has been restored to the troubled town.
The Voice, reports that exercise to fill vacant traditional stools in the local government has been going on in the area since Wednesday.
