The traditional ruler and prescribed Authority of Igarra and Akuku Clan, HRH Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki II, the Otaru of Igarra has denied reports making rounds that he donated the sum of one million naira to the campaign funds of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), when he visited the palace to seek royal blessings during his campaign in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

A statement signed by five palace chiefs: Odovidi Okomayin, Okomayin Ojo; Oseh, Chief D. A. Ojo; Okomayin Obende, Emma Adebayo; and Ukana Agumagu, Chief Ezekiel Ukanah said the Otaru of Igarra is non-partisan and he is open to all political parties and politicians. The statement added that just like Pastor Ize-Iyamu and the APC did, Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited the palace for royal blessings.

The statement said some headlines that claiming “Igarra monarch donates N1m to Ize-Iyamu” was misleading as the said donor, referred to as Joseph Mayaki Akpeji is not the traditional ruler of Igarra and that he made the donation in his private capacity.

The statement said in part: “It should be pointed out that Joseph Mayaki Akpeji is someone who holds himself out as the Otu of Igarra. By law, the title of Out of Igarra is a minor chieftaincy exclusive to the Anona family of Igarra and over which the Otaru of Igarra is the prescribed authority (as the Otaru is the Prescribed Authority over the entire Igarra/Akuku Clan). It should be noted that Eziobe Traditional Council is not known to Igarra tradition and Chieftaincy laws of Edo State.

“For a fact, Joseph Mayaki Akpeji and a few other persons are challenging the legality of the law as it stands in suit no. B/553/2008. In the same suit, the Otaru of Igarra has himself challenged the validity of Akpeji’s claim to be the Otu of Igarra on the basis” that his purported nomination was never forwarded to the Otaru for approval.

“Suffice it to say however that Joseph Mayaki Akpeji is not a traditional ruler, much less being the traditional ruler over Igarra”.

“We therefore wish to set the records straight and state that the Otaru of Igarra is non-partisan and wishes all candidates well.

“His palace is open to all and sundry, more pointedly, the Otaru did not and could not have donated any money to any political cause whatsoever.

“Such is inconsistent with his status as the Royal Father to all political tendencies in Igarra (Etuno) Nation, please, be properly guided”, the statement concluded.

The Chiefs said the mis-information was deliberately sent by mischief makers who want to use the publication to “denigrate the stool of Otaru of Igarra and the occupier of that stool, HRH Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki II (JP), and seek to expose him to public odium and ridicule”.