The Obi of Igbodo Kingdom in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, Obi Ikechukwu Osadume has incurred the wrath of his subjects for allegedly refusing to marry a second wife. Already, his subjects are threatening to sack him from the throne of his ancestors. The Obi is said to have concluded plans to marry a woman from Ebonyi State which his subjects viewed as a breach of the custom and tradition of the kingdom.
The issue is causing ripples between the monarch and his people, leading to the whole community boycotting the palace indefinitely over the Obi’s alleged uncompromising stand since the past two years. According to a letter addressed to the Deputy Governor of the state, Prof. Amos Utuama and signed by Joseph I. Unomah,
the Iyase of Igbodo Kingdom, Obi is allegedly disregarding and subverting the cherished custom and tradition of the people.
“The custom and tradition of our people is that the Obi must marry a woman from Igbodo Kingdom, who will give birth to the heir to the throne of Igbodo Kingdom.” The letter, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Sun in Asaba, added that once the king had an heir from a woman in the community, the Obi could marry whoever else he chose.
“Your Excellency, this is the crux of the matter. For over two years, the whole community has implored HRM to reason with us and keep our tradition to no avail. This uncompromising stand of HRM is a serious threat to peace, harmony and future unity of our community.
This threat to the custom and tradition of our people looks minor, but I can assure you that it has potentials to bring about results of very serious proportion if not nipped in the bud,” the letter further stated. The letter appealed to the deputy governor to urgently wade into the traditional impasse between the monarch and his people to avoid a face-off that could lead to the rejection of the king by the community.
Although, the monarch could not be reached to react to the allegation against him, sources close to him insisted that Obi Osadume is a Christian who is entitled to only one wife, according to Biblical injunction.
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