Rebisi : A kingdom divided over itself

IT is difficult to come to terms as to why a kingdom known for her long history of peaceful transition from one king to another is now boiling in an unprecedented tussle over succession. The peace loving people of Rebisi Kingdom in Rivers State are at present sitting in amazement watching in disbelief, how three families have chosen to deviate from age-long and entrenched traditional method of installing a new paramount leader; they have shut their eyes to known traditional values, methods, and practices and chosen the path of individual ambition.

After the death of HRM Eze Sunday Nnanta Woluchem - the Eze Epara Rebisi the 11th of Rebisi kingdom; the three families have gone ahead to install their respective paramount ruler. Where are the elders - the custodians of the traditional norms, values, and practices?

This singular act has polarised the kingdom implanting in its place, in-disciplined approach in deciding things commonly shared by the kingdom, disunity, balkanization, hate, mutual suspicion, with imagined or real threat to life. People who hitherto were one united family are now at daggers drawn or at each other's throat.

Let us consult the kingdom's history for guidance.

History has it that the paramount leader is the first son of Rebisi. The lineage from inception has been: 1st(first) paramount Owhor Holder was Rebisi himself; his eldest son Olozu took over as the 2nd paramount Owhor Holder of Rebisi after the father's demise; his(first) 1st son Odunyeoma became Eze Epara Rebisi – Paramount Owhor  Holder the 3rd; his first son Elikwu Ekaninwo became Eze Epara Rebisi the 4th after the death of his father; the 5th Eze / Owhor Holder was Elikwu Ekaninwo Mati; his(first)1st son Elikwu Wonuji (Wonnaji) took over as the Eze Epara Rebisi the 6th after the demise of his father; his 1st (first) son Elikwu Dike Nyehaa became  Eze Epara Rebisi and Owhor Olozu moved to Elikwu Worluchem and Owhor Odunyeoma remained with Rumu-Ekaninwo until the 1st(first) son Philip Elikwu who was a minor then came of age and took over as the 1st(first) son; the 8th paramount Owhor Holder and Eze Epara Rebisi became Elikwu Worluchem and after his death in 1951, Phillip Elikwu took over the reign of Rebisi Kingdom as Eze Epara Rebisi the 9th and Paramount Owhor Holder of Rebisi.

Eze Phllip Elikwu had no western education and aging, he anointed Chief V.N. Worluchem as the 10th Eze Epara Rebisi to stand-in for him until his son is of age but Chief Victor Weli Worluchem had a short reign and passed on. Again Philip Elikwu appointed Sunday Nnanta Worluchem as Eze Epara Rebisi the 11th to represent him until his son is of age.

The practice and lineage bestowed the right of kingship or rulership to the direct Rebisi first son descendants. Neither the appointee nor the anointed interim or adhoc holders of the position were the rightful recipients of kingship. They cannot lay any claim to the rulership. The present clamour or tussle is an odious boisterousness that can lead to unruly social upheaval.

Any deviation from the age-long practice is an open invitation to chaos, aggression, and confrontation that could lead to anarchy, bloodletting and the foundation for generational feud. Are those beating the drums of disunity, or disaffection trying to rubbish this long standing tradition? Or is their intent to politicize the process of filling the vacant seat of the paramount ruler of Rebisi a disguise for realigning the rightful lineage, process and institutions assigned to carry out the installation of paramount rulers.

The present stalemate can be turned into creative tension, if all the stakeholders can come together and come up in one voice and appoint the next paramount ruler in conformity with the traditional existing practice. People are free to disagree with a practice in a system, but not to disobey it. This is where the role of the Elders becomes strategic. They should be truthful and have the interest of the kingdom at heart, both for this generation and generations yet unborn. A cautiously optimistic elder should come up with a unifying plan to avert crisis that would force the claimants to come to discussion. When trouble makers plot, the Elders must plan, build and bind, leaving no stone unturned in their zeal to ensure peace.

Without mincing words, the three sons of Rebisi cannot receive Royal assent the same time, there is no room for two captains in a ship, let alone three. The task is to awaken the moral consciousness of the generality of Rebisi people. There is a wise saying that 'it takes courage to declare war, but that it requires greater courage to declare peace.'' The agitators should realise that it is only a fool that would rush where angels fear to tread. Let all concerned 'refrain from violence of fist, tongue, or heart'' to quote Dr. Martin Luther King JR. He emphasised non-violence in crisis resolution.

At this juncture, all well meaning and peace loving sons and daughters of Rebisi Kingdom should throw away selfish interests and look at the collective interest of the kingdom together and upheld the age-long tradition, values, practices and peace should be uppermost in their minds.

All the agitators should rally around whomever that is rightfully nominated according to existing tradition and practice; whether the person is educated in the western knowledge or not. After all, the intelligence of a king is measured by the quality of those who surround him.

Everyone must be mindful of the fact that when rain falls it wets both the innocent and guilty. It does not fall on one man's house. The subjects should come together with one voice to end this quagmire or else the state governor should use his big stick and by fiat restore peace and tranquility; and 'impose'' the 'rightful'' nominee.

• Dogara, a public affairs analyst wrote from Port Harcourt.