Opinion
An Open Letter To The Great Ihuowo Community, Ahoada East Local Government Area, Rivers State
Written By: Chief Gilbert Hamilton
22 Oct 2025 11:47 AM
I write to you today not as a stranger, but as a concerned member of our community. This open letter is addressed to every son and daughter of Ihuowo, a community endowed with a rich heritage and a destiny of progress. It is a heartfelt appeal to our collective conscience, a call to reflect on the recent election for our paramount ruler and the path forward for our beloved land. The time has come to choose unity over division, wisdom over discord, and communal progress over personal ambition.
We have all witnessed the recent traditional elections in our Ekpeye communities, such as the Eze Upata stool, Eze Ekpeye Logbo, and the Eze Igbu Ahoada stool. In each of these cases, contests for the highest traditional stools were conducted with decorum. Candidates of significant standing and influence accepted defeat, understanding that the welfare of the kingdom is far more important than any individual aspiration.
Even a millionaire who came second in the Eze Igbu Ahoada election accepted the outcome and pledged his support to the winner. Their maturity and respect for tradition have ensured peace and stability.
Why, then, should our own paramount ruler election descend into rancor? A fair and transparent process was observed. Two aspirants presented themselves for screening. They signed a peace accord, solemnly promising to accept the result of the election, whatever the outcome. The election was conducted by delegates duly submitted by all constituent families, including the family of the aspirant who ultimately lost.
The results were clear: one candidate secured 25 votes, while the other received 5. A winner emerged, and the process was concluded. This is not a matter for debate or negotiation. The election has been lost and won.
To defy this clear outcome is to break a sacred trust—not just with the electoral committee, but with the entire Ihuowo community.
It is now time for all indigene, including the aspirant who lost, to rise above disappointment and come together for the greater good. It is time to join hands with the winner to build a stronger, more indivisible Ihuowo community.
A refusal to do so would betray the peace accord and inflict a destructive disservice upon our people.
This call for unity is especially critical given the constitutional restructuring that has divided our community into three non-autonomous entities: Igbu Oligbo, Igbu Oshi, and Igbu Ogbor. With this new arrangement, no single individual or interest group can afford to monopolize the activities of the community. It demands collective leadership and a spirit of collaboration to succeed. The paramount ruler must be a unifying force, not a symbol of division.
I call on all elite members of our community to be a force for peace, not discord. Do not sit back and allow any individual's personal disappointment to tarnish our great community's name.
We must prevent Ihuowo from becoming a battleground, a fate that has befallen many other Ekpeye communities where lives were lost and properties were destroyed in the name of "it must be me, or the community must be destroyed." That path leads only to ruin.
There are compelling reasons why the Ihuowo community must unite behind the elected paramount ruler and move forward:
Legitimacy and respect for due process: The election was conducted according to the community's established constitutional rules. The winner's mandate is legitimate and must be respected by all who hold the rule of law and community tradition in high regard.
Preventing instability and conflict: Rejecting the election results could plunge the community into a protracted crisis, undermining peace and setting a dangerous precedent. The experience of other Ekpeye communities should serve as a cautionary tale against such a course of action.
Mobilizing for development: A peaceful and united community is a prerequisite for attracting development and investment. Internal squabbles will only deter progress and leave Ihuowo lagging behind its neighbors.
Reinforcing the new constitutional structure: Unity behind the new paramount ruler will help solidify the three non-autonomous communities—Igbu Oligbo, Igbu Oshi, and Igbu Ogbor—and ensure they work harmoniously for the common good.
Upholding the dignity of the Ihuowo stool: The paramount ruler's position is an institution, not a prize for personal enrichment. By respecting the process, we protect the dignity of our traditional institution for future generations.
Let us choose the path of reconciliation and progress. Let us embrace the outcome of the election and rally behind our new paramount ruler. In doing so, we will prove that Ihuowo is not only fantastic in its heritage, but in its resolve to build a brighter, more united future.
In summary, I wish to express profound gratitude to High Chief Hon. Barr Ben Eke DSSRS, the luminary who has metamorphosed the Ihuowo community into a beacon of progress. His indefatigable efforts as a Local Government Chairman for six years have bequeathed our community with electricity, road networks, school facilities, and sanitation systems. His legacy, which is very difficult for any politician in the Ekpeye Ethnic nation to surpass, has earned him one of the most prestigious chieftaincy titles in Ekpeye: Echi Ekpeye Logbo (the light of Ekpeye Ethnic nation), a testament to his unwavering commitment.
Almighty and Merciful God,
We humbly come before You, lifting up the Ihuowo community, a tapestry of diversity, woven with threads of tradition, culture, and shared destiny. We beseech You to envelop our community with an aura of peace, harmony, and progress.
Grant our leaders, elders, and elite the wisdom to navigate the complexities of our time, that they may be beacons of hope, guiding us toward a brighter future. May their decisions be imbued with the nectar of justice, equity, and compassion, fostering an environment where every voice is heard, and every individual thrives.
We pray for the healing of any rancor, bitterness, or division that may have taken root in our community. Uproot the seeds of discord, and sow the seeds of reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity. May our collective efforts be a testament to Your divine love, as we strive to build bridges, not walls, and cultivate a culture of empathy, understanding, and mutual respect.
Bless our community with the fruits of development: visionary leadership, gainful employment, innovative entrepreneurship, and accessible education. May our youth be empowered to reach their full potential, and our elderly be revered for their wisdom, experience, and contributions.
As we navigate the complexities of our world, protect us from the forces of darkness, ignorance, and despair. Illuminate our paths with the light of Your presence, guiding us toward a future where every Ihuowo indigene can live with dignity, purpose, and joy.
We give thanks for the stalwarts who have labored tirelessly to uplift our community, particularly High Chief Hon. Barr Ben Eke DSSRS, the Echi Ekpeye Logbo, whose legacy continues to inspire and illuminate our path.
May Your divine presence permeate every facet of our community, and may we, as one people, united in purpose, walk in the light of Your love, now and forevermore.
Amen.
Chief Gilbert Hamilton
Igbu Ogbor 1.
We have all witnessed the recent traditional elections in our Ekpeye communities, such as the Eze Upata stool, Eze Ekpeye Logbo, and the Eze Igbu Ahoada stool. In each of these cases, contests for the highest traditional stools were conducted with decorum. Candidates of significant standing and influence accepted defeat, understanding that the welfare of the kingdom is far more important than any individual aspiration.
Even a millionaire who came second in the Eze Igbu Ahoada election accepted the outcome and pledged his support to the winner. Their maturity and respect for tradition have ensured peace and stability.
Why, then, should our own paramount ruler election descend into rancor? A fair and transparent process was observed. Two aspirants presented themselves for screening. They signed a peace accord, solemnly promising to accept the result of the election, whatever the outcome. The election was conducted by delegates duly submitted by all constituent families, including the family of the aspirant who ultimately lost.
The results were clear: one candidate secured 25 votes, while the other received 5. A winner emerged, and the process was concluded. This is not a matter for debate or negotiation. The election has been lost and won.
To defy this clear outcome is to break a sacred trust—not just with the electoral committee, but with the entire Ihuowo community.
It is now time for all indigene, including the aspirant who lost, to rise above disappointment and come together for the greater good. It is time to join hands with the winner to build a stronger, more indivisible Ihuowo community.
A refusal to do so would betray the peace accord and inflict a destructive disservice upon our people.
This call for unity is especially critical given the constitutional restructuring that has divided our community into three non-autonomous entities: Igbu Oligbo, Igbu Oshi, and Igbu Ogbor. With this new arrangement, no single individual or interest group can afford to monopolize the activities of the community. It demands collective leadership and a spirit of collaboration to succeed. The paramount ruler must be a unifying force, not a symbol of division.
I call on all elite members of our community to be a force for peace, not discord. Do not sit back and allow any individual's personal disappointment to tarnish our great community's name.
We must prevent Ihuowo from becoming a battleground, a fate that has befallen many other Ekpeye communities where lives were lost and properties were destroyed in the name of "it must be me, or the community must be destroyed." That path leads only to ruin.
There are compelling reasons why the Ihuowo community must unite behind the elected paramount ruler and move forward:
Legitimacy and respect for due process: The election was conducted according to the community's established constitutional rules. The winner's mandate is legitimate and must be respected by all who hold the rule of law and community tradition in high regard.
Preventing instability and conflict: Rejecting the election results could plunge the community into a protracted crisis, undermining peace and setting a dangerous precedent. The experience of other Ekpeye communities should serve as a cautionary tale against such a course of action.
Mobilizing for development: A peaceful and united community is a prerequisite for attracting development and investment. Internal squabbles will only deter progress and leave Ihuowo lagging behind its neighbors.
Reinforcing the new constitutional structure: Unity behind the new paramount ruler will help solidify the three non-autonomous communities—Igbu Oligbo, Igbu Oshi, and Igbu Ogbor—and ensure they work harmoniously for the common good.
Upholding the dignity of the Ihuowo stool: The paramount ruler's position is an institution, not a prize for personal enrichment. By respecting the process, we protect the dignity of our traditional institution for future generations.
Let us choose the path of reconciliation and progress. Let us embrace the outcome of the election and rally behind our new paramount ruler. In doing so, we will prove that Ihuowo is not only fantastic in its heritage, but in its resolve to build a brighter, more united future.
In summary, I wish to express profound gratitude to High Chief Hon. Barr Ben Eke DSSRS, the luminary who has metamorphosed the Ihuowo community into a beacon of progress. His indefatigable efforts as a Local Government Chairman for six years have bequeathed our community with electricity, road networks, school facilities, and sanitation systems. His legacy, which is very difficult for any politician in the Ekpeye Ethnic nation to surpass, has earned him one of the most prestigious chieftaincy titles in Ekpeye: Echi Ekpeye Logbo (the light of Ekpeye Ethnic nation), a testament to his unwavering commitment.
Almighty and Merciful God,
We humbly come before You, lifting up the Ihuowo community, a tapestry of diversity, woven with threads of tradition, culture, and shared destiny. We beseech You to envelop our community with an aura of peace, harmony, and progress.
Grant our leaders, elders, and elite the wisdom to navigate the complexities of our time, that they may be beacons of hope, guiding us toward a brighter future. May their decisions be imbued with the nectar of justice, equity, and compassion, fostering an environment where every voice is heard, and every individual thrives.
We pray for the healing of any rancor, bitterness, or division that may have taken root in our community. Uproot the seeds of discord, and sow the seeds of reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity. May our collective efforts be a testament to Your divine love, as we strive to build bridges, not walls, and cultivate a culture of empathy, understanding, and mutual respect.
Bless our community with the fruits of development: visionary leadership, gainful employment, innovative entrepreneurship, and accessible education. May our youth be empowered to reach their full potential, and our elderly be revered for their wisdom, experience, and contributions.
As we navigate the complexities of our world, protect us from the forces of darkness, ignorance, and despair. Illuminate our paths with the light of Your presence, guiding us toward a future where every Ihuowo indigene can live with dignity, purpose, and joy.
We give thanks for the stalwarts who have labored tirelessly to uplift our community, particularly High Chief Hon. Barr Ben Eke DSSRS, the Echi Ekpeye Logbo, whose legacy continues to inspire and illuminate our path.
May Your divine presence permeate every facet of our community, and may we, as one people, united in purpose, walk in the light of Your love, now and forevermore.
Amen.
Chief Gilbert Hamilton
Igbu Ogbor 1.
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