19 March, 2022

PREAMBLE: –

On Saturday 5th March 2022, Election for the vacant position of the chief of Tobin Chieftaincy House was held by the Tobin Chieftaincy House Wariopuseniapu (Burusu Heads) who are traditionally mandated to do so. The election was in line with the constitutional provisions of Tobin House. To further ensure transparency, fairness and accountability, observers were drawn from the various arms of Tobin House (Awanta Ere, Awanta Opu-Asawo, Awanta Asawo and external observer from our sister House (Manilla Peppie House). The election was successful without hitches.

Tobin House has Ten (10) Burusu presently, viz: Fubara, Orugbani, Sukuiyi, Barasua (James), Sunday (Oruene), Ipirinye (Jonathan), Adarigha (Mark), Atapirigha, Owunabo (Samuel), and Young. The Seven (7) Burusu Heads took part in the election. Three (3) Burusu currently do not have Burusu heads because their heads are late and cannot on replaced until a new Chief emerges. Having no Burusu Heads, therefore, makes them not qualified to take part in the election.

Four persons contested for the position and Amasenibo Dagogo Tobin was unanimously returned unopposed, the other three candidates having stepped down.

We make bold to say that we have a substantive Chief elect of Tobin House of Finima, who is in the person of Amasenibo Dagogo A. Tobin.

Our attention has been drawn to some unwarranted utterances, frivolous and baseless claims emanating from Amaopusenibo Jonathan B. Tobin.

We wish to state as follows:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. His claim to represent the Tobin House is not true because he has no such mandate from the House.
4. Amaopusenibo Jonathan B. Tobin is not presently an elder in Tobin Chieftaincy House.
5. 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.
6. 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.

Conclusion: –

Amasenibo Dagogo A. Tobin did not elect himself as the Chief of Tobin House. It is the sole responsibility of the Wariopuseniapu (Burusu Heads) to elect a Chief for the Tobin Chieftaincy House. This is the tradition of the Ibani Clan. This was done in all fairness and strict responsibility. 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.

Signed:

1. Wariopusenibo Darlington A. Tobin, Head, Ipirinye (Jonathan) Burusu
2. Wariopusenibo Samuel O. Tobin, Head, Owunabo (Samuel) Burusu
3. Wariopusenibo Golden G. D. Tobin, Head, Oruene (Sunday) Burusu
4. Wariopusenibo Bennett A. Tobin, Head, Atapirigha Burusu
5. Wariopusenibo Fimienye M. Tobin, Head, Fubara Burusu
6. Wariopusenibo Barasua J. Tobin, Head, Barasua (James) Burusu
7. Wariopusenibo Asamawari Y. S. Tobin, Head, Young Burusu