The Delta State Government has nullified the purported suspension of Chief James Asika Onwordi Ibori-Ubulu, the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom, by the traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty, Noah Chukwuka Akaeze, Agbogidi, Obi of Ubulu-Uku.
The government also declared illegal the recently conducted online election of the Ubulu-Uku Development Council, UDC.
The decision was reached 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 Edwin Uzor, with the Ubulu-Uku Council of Chiefs, Obi-in-Council and security agencies.
The meeting followed petitions and counter-petitions over the crisis rocking Ubulu-Uku Kingdom in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.
*Onishe Suspension Null And Void — Delta Govt*
The government said the suspension of Chief Asika did not follow due process.
“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,” the government declared.
“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.”
The government cited Section 28, Sub-sections 1 to 6 of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law and the position of the Office of the Director of Chieftaincy in the Governor’s Office.
*Obi Of Ubulu-Uku Cannot Rule From Abroad — Govt Orders Monarch To Return Home*
In a strong directive, the Delta State Government ordered the Obi of Ubulu-Uku, who currently lives abroad, to return home immediately.
The government stated that the Obi cannot be ruling his kingdom from abroad.
It also warned uncles and relatives of the monarch to desist from interfering in the administration of the kingdom and to channel advice through proper means.
*UDC Online Election Nullified*
On the controversial Ubulu-Uku Development Council election, the government ruled that the online exercise violated the Delta State Regulation of Community Development Associations Law 2021 and guidelines of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development.
“The online election that was said to be conducted cannot hold and it is null and void,” the government ruled.
The government queried whether an online election conducted internally without compliance with statutory regulations and ministry guidelines can validly produce an executive committee recognized under Delta State Law.
It directed the Traditional Council working with the community to organize a fresh, all-inclusive election to be 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 emphasized.
*Peace Returns To Ubulu-Uku*
The decision has put to rest months of tension in Ubulu-Uku over the leadership of the UDC and the status of the Onishe.
Responding, Chief James Asika Onwordi, the Ubulu-Uku Council of Chiefs and youth body said: “We have been on these issues for long and we are happy the government has settled this. Peace has finally returned to our community. We appreciate the Delta State Government.”
