The claims by a former Executive Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Jonathan Tobin that he is the head of the Tobin (Konibo-ye-Awanta) Chieftaincy House of Finima has been described as deceitful and a display of ignorance of the traditions of his home, Bonny Kingdom.

 A statement by the Council of Wariopuseniapu (Burusu Heads) of the Tobin House declared that Jonathan Tobin, who is the holder of the title of Amaopusenibo in Bonny Kingdom, is not an elder or chairman or representative or the highest title holder of the Tobin House as claimed by him.

The statement titled: “Tobin House Chieftaincy Election. Our Position. Wariopuseniapu (Burusu Heads) Tobin Chieftaincy House”, was signed by Darlington Tobin, Head, Ipirinye (Jonathan) Burusu; Samuel Tobin, Head, Owunabo (Samuel) Burusu; Golden Tobin, Head, Oruene (Sunday) Burusu; Bennett Tobin, Head, Atapirigha Burusu; Fimienye Tobin, Head, Fubara Burusu; Barasua Tobin, Head, Barasua (James) Burusu; and Asamawari Tobin, Head, Young Burusu, and made available to Kristina Reports on Sunday, March 20, 2022 in Finima, Bonny LGA.

“The assertion of Amaopusenibo Jonathan B. Tobin is not only a deceit but a high display of ignorance as to the culture and tradition of Bonny Kingdom.”

“At no time was Amaopusenibo Jonathan B. Tobin made a Chairman of Tobin House. His claim of being the Chairman does not exist except in the figment of his imagination.”

“He is not also the highest title holder of the Tobin House. The highest title holders of Tobin Chieftaincy House at present are the Seven (7) Wariopuseniapu (Burusu Heads) who are by tradition the owners of the House because they represent the Federating Units (Burusu Heads) that make up the House. More over there is no such title as Amaopusenibo of Tobin House.”  

“His claim to represent the Tobin House is not true because he has no such mandate from the House.”

“Amaopusenibo Jonathan B. Tobin is not presently an elder in Tobin Chieftaincy House.”

The Elders Council of the House also condemned the antagonism against the Chief elect, Amasenibo Dagogo Tobin by the BOI ex-boss, clarifying that the chief elect emerged through a transparent and constitutionally compliant process in line with the provisions of the Tobin House constitution.  

“At no time did Amaopusenibo Jonathan B. Tobin indicate, apply or show any interest in the vacant position of the Chief of the House, and so did not apply for the vacant position when it was time to do so, even though it was well publicized and open to all members of Tobin House between the ages of 40 and 65 years as enshrined in the House constitution.”

“Therefore, the antagonism of Amaopusenibo Jonathan B. Tobin towards the Chief-elect (Amasenibo Dagogo A. Tobin) is ill conceived, misplaced and lacks merit. We, therefore, urge the general public to take note and be guided appropriately.”

It was unclear as at the time of this report where the BOI ex-chief made the above claims but Kristina Reports gathered from sources within the Tobin House that the assertions were allegedly making the rounds across the various families in the House.

Kristina Reports findings indicate that this development led to the Council of Elders making these clarifications with a view to disabusing the minds of members of the House and the general public from falling victim of the misinformation.