The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Tuesday presented the staff of office to His Imperial Majesty, Pere Zachaeus Doubts Egbunu (JP) Opukutu III, the Agadagba of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom in Ese-Odo local government area of the state.
The stool became vacant in February, 2007, following the demise of his royal majesty, late Pere D.M.E Eperetu JP, Saga II but the installation process was stalled in 2010 due to conflicts in the ruling house of Perebinyenmo which led to litigation and the refusal of concerned players to take a common position on the issues that affected the selection of a new Agadagba.
However, the judgement of the High Court of Justice delivered on August 31, 2017 removed all legal impediments when the court struck out the pending suit and directed the Perebinyenmo ruling house and kingmakers of Arogbo to set in motion necessary machinery for the selection and appointment of the new Agadagba.
Presenting the staff of office to the new monarch at the installation ceremony held at Oke-Shillo Ground, Arogbo, Akeredolu said is glad that the choice of Egbunu is free choice of the people of Arogbo through their revered kingmakers and in line with extant Chieftaincy Laws as well as tradition of Arogboland.
The Governor, who was presented by his Deputy, Hon. Agboola Alfred Ajayi, charged the new monarch to play in harnessing the potential of his people for the good of Arogbo Ijaw-Ibe.
He also urged the king to mobilize his subjects to partner the state government towards the development of Arogbo Ijaw-Ibe.
Akeredolu however, reiterated his committment to restore electricity supply to the southern senatorial district area of the state.