The people of Ogurama community in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have declared their opposition to what they describe as factional kingship, as youths, women, elders, chiefs and other stakeholders turned out in their numbers to protest against division in the community.
Speaking during the protest on Tuesday August 25, 2026, leader of the group, Harmony Douglas, said the gathering was aimed at defending the peace, unity and traditional leadership of Ogurama.
“Today, we are here in our beloved community to stand for what we believe in and to demonstrate our commitment and solidarity to the established leadership of this great community,” Douglas said.
He stressed that Ogurama had historically been a peaceful community and urged all parties involved in the kingship dispute to maintain peace and respect the rule of law.
According to him, there are ongoing litigations concerning the matter, and anyone aggrieved should seek redress through the appropriate courts rather than taking the law into their own hands.
“We cannot take the laws into our own hands. As law-abiding citizens, we have decided to wait for the courts to do justice to the cases before them,” he said.
Douglas further declared that the people of Ogurama recognised their established Paramount King, HRH King Monima Evans-Bille, and maintained that the community would not accept a situation where another person will pass through the back door to claim the kingship of Ogurama.
He however, called on the women, youths, chiefs and other stakeholders to remain peaceful and united while the legal process runs its course.
“We have come to protect our God-given community. I assure everyone that there will never be two kings in Ogurama community,” he declared.
Douglas further urged all residents of Ogurama to remain calm, law-abiding and committed to the truth, while respecting the leadership structure established in the community.
He appealed to those involved in the dispute to pursue reconciliation and legal avenues rather than actions that could jeopardise the peace and unity enjoyed by the people of Ogurama.
