21st August 2025
By Peter Omopo
Tension has escalated in the Ubulu-Uku kingdom of Delta State following the alleged suspension of the Onishe (kingmaker), Chief Asika Onwordi James, a move that has triggered confusion and division within the community.
A suspension letter, currently circulating on social media, announced the removal of Chief Onwordi, but a counter-letter purportedly signed by the traditional ruler, HRM Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I, has rejected the development, describing it as fake and unauthorized.
The counter statement read, “On behalf of His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I, Obi of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, and the entire Umu Obi, we wish to state categorically that we are not aware of the letter currently being circulated regarding the alleged suspension of the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku. We firmly disassociate ourselves from the said letter as it does not represent the position of His Royal Majesty.”
Chief Onwordi, reacting to the controversy, dismissed the purported suspension as baseless and politically motivated, accusing certain individuals of attempting to undermine his role. He said, “They wanted me to be answerable to them and take instructions from them, but I refused. My king is young and needs support in handling traditions, so I decided to help him. Unfortunately, his uncles are the ones fighting me. I have worked tirelessly for this community, setting up a security outfit to tackle herdsmen and supporting agencies to fight crime. I don’t know what wrong I have done.”
However, Palace Secretary, Mr. George Ofulue, insisted that the Onishe’s suspension remains valid, accusing faceless individuals of forging the counter-letter. “The Onishe of Ubulu-Uku remains suspended over insubordination. The other letter that is circulating is forged. The Obi’s signature was faked, and since he is not around, we consider that act criminal. Any official letter must pass through me as the Palace Secretary,” Ofulue stated.
The crisis has now attracted wider concern, with a group of Ubulu-Uku indigenes petitioning the Delta State Police Command. In the petition signed by the Director General of the Young Nigerian Rights Organization, Mr. Victor Ojei, the group called for an investigation into alleged forgery, impersonation, abuse of office, and conspiracy linked to the controversy.
The petition read in part, “On August 17, 2025, a purported letter of suspension was circulated on social media announcing that Chief James Asika Onwordi, the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku, had been suspended from office. We demand urgent investigation into this fraudulent act orchestrated by Mr. George Ofulue, uncle to His Royal Majesty Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I.”
The unfolding crisis has deepened divisions in Ubulu-Uku, raising fears of further instability if the dispute is not swiftly resolved.
