The crisis in Issele-Azagba Kingdom, Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has deepened following the suspension and stripping of titles of four traditional chiefs over alleged insubordination to the throne.
The affected title holders are Chief Emmanuel Nwamma Eboha, Uwòlò Agba of Issele-Azagba Kingdom; Chief Emmanuel Isichei, Akaogwu Ojubi; Chief Christopher Nwadiaju, Otàbido; and Mr Lucky Ofor, Acting Eze Dibia.
The action was announced by the Izuani Council of Elders in a statement titled, ‘Suspension of Chiefs and Acting Eze Dibia in Issele-Azagba Kingdom’, which accused the affected persons of acts considered to be “insubordination to the throne.”
According to the council, it had been left with no option but to invoke its powers and suspend the three chiefs and the Acting Eze Dibia with immediate effect.
“The Council is left with no other option than to exercise the powers conferred on the Council by suspending three (3) Chiefs and Acting Eze Dibia forthwith,” the statement said.
The council further declared that the instruments empowering the affected persons to hold their respective traditional titles had been withdrawn.
“Therefore, the general public, and particularly Issele-Azagba indigenes are hereby advised to adhere strictly to the above letter and suspension, as the instruments empowering them as Chiefs and Acting Eze Dibia have been stripped from them by the Eminent Council,” it added.
The latest development comes about four months after the formal presentation of the staff of office to the traditional ruler of Issele-Azagba, His Royal Majesty, Obi Ikechukwu Chukwuemeka Christopher Ugbomah II.
The installation had earlier been preceded by opposition from some members of the community, including paid public advertisements against the process.
During the presentation of the staff of office in May, the Delta State Government had appealed to the people of Issele-Azagba to put their differences aside and support the monarch.
Representing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the occasion, Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme urged the people of the kingdom, both at home and in the diaspora, to rally behind their traditional ruler.
“I urge all sons and daughters of Issele-Azagba, both at home and in the diaspora, to rally round their king, support him with loyalty, unity, and sincerity of purpose,” Onyeme said.
He also called on the people to work together to promote peace, youth empowerment, investment and development in the kingdom.
“You should all work together to build a kingdom where peace reigns supreme, where our youths are empowered with opportunities, where investments and development are encouraged,” he said.
The Deputy Governor stressed that the strength of a kingdom depended not only on the authority of its ruler but also on the unity and cooperation of its people.
“The strength of any kingdom lies not only in the authority of its ruler, but also in the unity, cooperation, and shared commitment of its people,” Onyeme said.
However, despite the government’s appeal, the disagreement within the kingdom appears to have persisted, with the palace now taking action against the four title holders.
The latest suspension has introduced a fresh dimension to the lingering dispute in the community.
As of the time of filing this report, none of the affected chiefs had publicly reacted to the suspension or the allegations against them.