Peace Must Return: A Call To Conscience In The Great Idjerhe Kingdom.

By Dr. Samson Joseph Iriruaga

There are moments in the life of a people when history does not whisper—it calls. It calls for reflection, for, restraint, and above all, for reconciliation. Such is the hour before the great Idjerhe Kingdom today.

It may sound bold to affirm that peace must return. Yet, beneath that assertion lies a deeper truth: peace is not accidental—it is cultivated, defended, and, when lost, deliberately restored.

Some may question the premise: Is there truly conflict? Let us be honest—conflict does not always wear the garments of open warfare. Sometimes, it hides in silence, in division of loyalty, in strained relationships, and in the subtle erosion of communal harmony. To deny its existence is to delay its resolution.

Understanding the Root: Tradition Misunderstood

At the heart of the present tension lies a fundamental issue—the misunderstanding of the customary institution, particularly the sacredness of the royal stool and the responsibilities it imposes on both ruler and subjects.

In African traditional systems, kingship is not merely administrative—it is spiritual, ancestral, and communal. The throne is not just occupied; it is ordained within the cultural framework of the people.

History offers guidance here. In the ancient Benin Kingdom, disputes over succession were not uncommon. Yet, once the processes—be they, traditional rites, or later judicial affirmations—were concluded, the people understood a vital principle: legitimacy, once established, must be respected for order to prevail.

Similarly, among the Yoruba, the Oyo Mesi could challenge a king, but once a resolution was reached, unity was restored to preserve the kingdom’s continuity. These systems were not perfect, but they recognized a truth—endless contestation weakens, the very fabric of society.

The Role of the Courts: Justice as Stabilizer

Where tradition alone struggles to settle disputes, the recourse to constitutional law is not an aberration—it is a complement. The court of law, though modern, serves as an impartial arbiter when passions threaten to override reason.

The recent judicial victory of His Royal Majesty, Monday Obukowho Arthur Whiskey, JP., PhD,. Udurhie I, King of the, great Idjerhe Kingdom, marks not just a personal triumph but a constitutional clarification. It is the closing of a chapter that has lingered too long.

Justice, once pronounced, must not be selectively accepted. Its authority lies in its finality.

After the Battle: The Greater Victory is Peace

History teaches that the end of conflict is not victory—it is reconciliation.

After the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln urged a broken nation toward healing with the immortal words: “With malice toward none, with charity for all.” Though spoken in a distant land, the wisdom resonates universally.

Likewise, in post-apartheid South Africa, Nelson Mandela chose forgiveness over vengeance, understanding that unity, not retribution, builds nations.

Idjerhe now stands at such a threshold.

A Charge to the Throne: Mercy as Strength

Your Royal Majesty, your victory is resounding—but history will judge not only how you won but how you rule after winning.

Power commands obedience; mercy commands loyalty.

To temper justice with compassion is not weakness—it is the highest expression of kingship. The throne that forgives becomes unshakable, for it binds hearts, not just allegiance.

A Call to the Aggrieved: Return Without Shame

To those who stood on the opposing side, this is not a moment of defeat—it is a moment of decision.

There is dignity in acceptance. There is honor in reconciliation.

The strength of a people is not measured by the absence of, disagreement, but by the ability to unite after it. Let grievances give way to goodwill. Let pride bow to peace.

Idjerhe is not divided land—it is shared heritage. It is the soil of your fathers, the cradle of your identity.

Precepts for Lasting Peace in Idjerhe

●Accept Finality with Maturity
Endless disputes breed instability. Closure is the foundation of progress.

●Reverence the Institution Above Individuals
The throne outlives every occupant. Loyalty must be to the institution, not personalities.

●Promote Dialogue Over Division
Silence and suspicion deepen wounds; communication heals them.

●Reject the Politics of Bitterness
No kingdom thrives on resentment. Bitterness is a slow poison.

●Build Together, Not Apart
Development requires unity. Division delays destiny.

●Let Leadership Be Inclusive
A wise king governs all—not just supporters.

Conclusion: One Kingdom, One Future

Peace is not a gift bestowed—it is a choice embraced.

The Idjerhe Kingdom stands today with an opportunity rare in history: to transform conflict into cohesion and victory into unity.

Let the past instruct, not imprison.

Let justice settle, not divide.

Let mercy heal, not weaken.

To His Royal Majesty, congratulations once again. May your reign be marked not only by, legitimacy, but by largeness of heart.
To the sons and daughters of Idjerhe—come home to one another.

For in the end, beyond titles and trials, one truth remains:

Idjerhe is ours. And peace, if chosen, will be ours too.