Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Delta State was on Tuesday unsettled by unfounded rumours of discord within the traditional institution, following the circulation of a letter falsely claiming that the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku, Hon. (High Chief) James Asika Onwordi, had been suspended by His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze, the Obi of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom.
Responding swiftly to the development, High Chief Onwordi dismissed the letter in its entirety, describing it as baseless, mischievous and a calculated attempt to sow confusion within the kingdom.
According to him, the letter was allegedly signed by one G. U. Ofulue, a man who, he noted, holds no recognised position within the palace structure. “To the best of my knowledge, Mr Ofulue is neither the Palace Secretary nor the Secretary to the Obi-in-Council of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom. He is equally not a member of the Obi-in-Council, the Traditional Council of Aniocha South Local Government Area, or the wider Delta State traditional framework,” the Onishe stated.
High Chief Onwordi stressed that his position as the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku (the Traditional Prime Minister of the kingdom) is both historically established and legally recognised by government. He explained that he is a traditional chief duly certified and registered by the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs in the Office of the Deputy Governor of Delta State. Furthermore, his office is explicitly provided for under the Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law 2008 of Delta State.
He pointed out that the procedure for suspending or removing a traditional chief is clearly spelt out in Section 28 (1)(2)(3) of the law, and that no such process has ever been initiated against him. He therefore described the purported suspension letter as lacking any legitimacy or authority.
The Onishe further clarified that he enjoys a cordial and respectful relationship with His Royal Majesty, Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze. “At no time has any issue been raised between myself and His Royal Majesty. I have not been summoned to any meeting, nor have I received any notice of complaint or disciplinary procedure. The claim of my suspension is simply not true,” he reiterated.
Condemning the letter as “a caricature and a demonstration of rascality”, Chief Onwordi called on the relevant authorities to investigate the source of the misinformation and to caution those attempting to destabilise the peace of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom. He urged the good people of the community, as well as the general public, to disregard the false publication and remain calm, assuring them that he continues to perform his duties as Onishe without obstruction.
High Chief James Asika Onwordi is widely respected for his role in preserving tradition and fostering unity in Ubulu-Uku. As Traditional Prime Minister, he has contributed significantly to peace-building, community development, youth empowerment and the promotion of cultural heritage. His leadership is not only grounded in law but also rooted in the enduring trust and respect of his people.
“I remain the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom and I will continue to serve diligently in that capacity,” he affirmed.
