Posted by By Simon Ebegbulem on
FOLLOWING the 30-day ultimatum given to President Olusegun Obasanjo by the Esan people, to bring the remains of the late first lady, Mrs Stella Obasanjo, back to her ancestral home, Iruekpen, for proper burial as demanded by tradition, the President weekend, sent his kinsmen from Ogun State, to dialogue with his late wife's people, in order to find a solution to the impasse.
BENIN - FOLLOWING the 30-day ultimatum given to President Olusegun Obasanjo by the Esan people, to bring the remains of the late first lady, Mrs Stella Obasanjo, back to her ancestral home, Iruekpen, for proper burial as demanded by tradition, the President weekend, sent his kinsmen from Ogun State, to dialogue with his late wife's people, in order to find a solution to the impasse.
It would be recalled that elders of Iruekpen shunned the burial of their daughter following the decision of their in-law, President Obasanjo, to bury her in Ogun State, which, according to them, was unacceptable because tradition forbids any daughter of Iruekpen to be buried outside her ancestral home.
Though the President apologised and promised to pay any fine to assuage their anger, but his plea was rejected. However, Vanguard learnt that a strong delegation from Ogun State went to dialogue with leaders and elders of Iruepken community in order to settle the rift and find solution to the contending issues. It was also learnt that the delegation from Ogun state have agreed for a second burial ceremony to be conducted but the bone of contention, Vanguard further learnt, is the insistence of the elders that the remains of the deceased must be exhumed and brought home for proper burial.
Confirming the visit to Vanguard, the Odionwere (traditional leader) of Iruepken community, Pa Jonah Oziegbe said that 'the president sent his people to come and see us, so that we can settle the problem. They came yesterday (Saturday), we discussed with them and we told them our mind."
Asked if they have agreed that a second burial be conducted as they requested, he asserted 'yes, they do not have a choice. This is our custom and we have told them. We cannot compromise our custom for anything. We told them that there must be a second burial and that her body must be exhumed and brought home for proper burial. So we are still discussing and I believe they have to agree with us."