By Sunday Apah
The drama surrounding Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I, the young king of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Delta State, Nigeria, continues to unfold. As one of the youngest kings in Nigeria, he ascended the throne at just 15 years old in 2016 after his father, Obi Akaeze Edward Ofolue III, was tragically murdered.
The Ubulu-Uku Kingdom has been embroiled in controversy, with the Onishe (Prime Minister) Chief James Onwordi Ibori Ubulu affirming his support for the king, while others, including some of the king’s uncles, have allegedly attempted to undermine his authority.
Obi Chukwuka Noah Akaeze I has pursued his education abroad, earning a law degree from a UK university in 2019. Despite completing his education, he has refused to return home to lead his people.
The subjects of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom Ngozi Emma and Ofulue Chukwuweike have expressed frustration with the king’s absence, calling for him to return and lead the kingdom directly. They’ve also criticized his uncles for allegedly manipulating the situation and disrupting the kingdom’s peace.
They said the Obi should stop delegating powers to his uncles when there is a council of chiefs in the kingdom. They noted that they are tired of Obi remaining incommunicado despite efforts of the kingdom to reach out to him.
They said the Obi was crowned to lead his people from home and not from diaspora.
They also said the Obi’s uncles are being manipulative as they have been seen distorting the peace of the kingdom. They kick against the Obi handling powers to his uncle to take decisions which is against the Ubulu-Uku traditions.
“As at today, the kingdom is lacking behind because our Obi is unreachable. We don’t know if he is ready to lead us and if he is not ready, he should let us know and not abandoning the people who crowned him Obi.
This is unacceptable because as at today, nobody in the kingdom can reach out to the Obi.
The council of chiefs can’t reach him despite our efforts and it’s becoming worrisome.
The obi uncles told him not to communicate with anyone and that is why no chiefs in the kingdom can reach him.
The uncles are saying even the Delta State Government will have to passed through them before reaching the Obi.
The Peace and conflict resolution office make efforts at reaching out to the obi but it proved abortive, and the local government council has also reached out to the mother of the obi but the uncles blocked the communication.
Since the mother of the Obi left our kingdom, she hasn’t return back and she has disowned and bared the Obi from coming to Nigeria.
Today the Obi uncles have because issues in our kingdom, they are busy selling lands and building housing for themselves.
The obi as at today does not have house in his kingdom.
We love the Obi and we want him to return so he can lead us peacefully without his uncles interference.
We are tired of having an Obi who we can’t communicate to,” they said while urging the government of Delta State to look into the issues.
In a related development, The Onishe warned against disrespecting the throne, emphasizing the kingdom’s intolerance for insults or disrespect towards its traditional ruler or institution.
