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The Delta State Government has nullified the purported suspension of the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, Chief James Asika Onwordi Ibori-Ubulu, by the Obi of Ubulu-Uku, His Royal Majesty Noah Chukwuka Akaeze, Agbogidi, declaring that the action did not follow due process prescribed by law.

The government also declared null and void the recently conducted online election of the Ubulu-Uku Development Council (UDC), directing that a fresh and all-inclusive election be conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development.

The decisions were announced at a peace and conflict resolution meeting convened by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Sir (Chief) Edwin Uzor, with the Ubulu-Uku Council of Chiefs, also known as the Obi-in-Council, and security agencies.

The meeting followed petitions and counter-petitions arising from the prolonged crisis over the administration of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area.

On the purported suspension of Chief Asika, the government said the power to suspend a traditional chief was not vested exclusively in an individual traditional ruler.

According to the government, Section 28, Sub-sections 1 to 6 of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law provides the statutory framework for such action.

It stated: “The statutory architecture is clear. The power to suspend a traditional chief is not left at large in the hands of an individual traditional ruler. It is specifically vested in the Executive Council of the State subject to conditions prescribed by law.”

The government added that where the Executive Council delegated such authority to another person or authority, the law prescribed the manner in which such delegation must be exercised.

“Therefore, the suspension that was purportedly made by the Obi on Chief James Asika, Onishe of Ubulu-Uku is hereby declared null and void. Due process was not followed,” it declared.

The government also directed the Obi of Ubulu-Uku to return to the kingdom from abroad, stressing that the traditional ruler could not effectively administer the kingdom from outside the country.

It further warned uncles and relatives of the monarch against interfering in the administration of the kingdom, urging them to channel any advice to the Obi through appropriate traditional and institutional channels.

UDC Election Cancelled

On the disputed UDC election, the government said the online exercise contravened the Delta State Regulation of Community Development Associations Law 2021 and guidelines of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development.

It questioned the legality of an internally conducted online election that was not carried out in compliance with the relevant statutory requirements and ministry guidelines.

Consequently, the government declared the election “null and void.”

It directed the Traditional Council, in consultation with the community, to organise a fresh and inclusive election, with the process supervised and observed by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development.

“What that means is that a letter must be sent to the Ministry of Women Affairs so that you agree on how the election would go. Nobody can conduct election on their own,” the government emphasised.

The government’s intervention effectively brings to an end, at least at the official level, months of disagreement over the status of the Onishe and the leadership of the UDC.

Onishe, Council of Chiefs Welcome Decision

Responding to the government’s position, Chief Asika and members of the Ubulu-Uku Council of Chiefs and youth body expressed appreciation for the intervention, saying they were relieved that the longstanding issues had been resolved.

“We have been on these issues for long and we are happy the Government has settled this,” they said.

The group pledged continued commitment to peace and law-abiding conduct in the kingdom.

“We will continue on peace building in Ubulu-Uku Kingdom. Our people will continue to be law abiding in the state,” they added.