By Patrick Ochei
A group of concerned stakeholders from Onicha-Olona Kingdom in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State has called for the restoration of the kingdom’s traditional monarchy, known as the Obi Ada, to the Ugbeh Royal Family, which it described as the original hereditary custodian of the throne.
The group made the appeal during a press conference in Asaba, arguing that returning the kingship to the Ugbeh Royal Family would help resolve the protracted leadership crisis and restore peace, justice and unity in the kingdom.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the group, Mr. Cyril Eziomume Nwaodi, popularly known by his stage name Kandysea, maintained that historical records and long-standing customs of Onicha-Olona established the Obi Ada institution as a hereditary monarchy vested in the Ugbeh Royal Family of Idumu-Ugbe, also known as Ogbe-Obi.
He said any effort to resolve the kingship dispute must be rooted in the kingdom’s traditional succession process to preserve its cultural identity and ensure lasting stability.
According to Nwaodi, respect for established customs and historical succession remains critical to protecting the heritage of the community.
The group therefore urged the Delta State Government, traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders to support what it described as the restoration of the kingdom’s original hereditary order.
It also appealed to indigenes of Onicha-Olona, both at home and in the diaspora, to embrace dialogue and peaceful engagement, stressing that the community’s unity and development should take precedence over prolonged disputes.
The renewed demand comes amid the lingering controversy surrounding the traditional leadership of the kingdom, with different interest groups advancing divergent positions on the succession process.
The stakeholders further claimed that historical accounts traced the origin of the Onicha-Olona monarchy to Oba Ugbeh, who was said to have ascended the throne around 1550.
According to them, the kingship subsequently passed through successive descendants, including Ofoko, Zomuna, Mogbei and Diei, in line with the hereditary tradition.
They alleged that the succession process was disrupted during the colonial era when Chika Diei, who was expected to succeed his father, Diei, was allegedly denied the throne following the intervention of the British colonial administration.
According to the group, the British authorities allegedly destroyed the royal palace around 1900 and installed Osakwe Ofili as king, thereby departing from the kingdom’s hereditary succession system.
The stakeholders further alleged that the development led Diei to place a curse on the throne, declaring that lasting peace would elude the kingdom until the monarchy was returned to its original hereditary lineage.
They argued that the colonial intervention marked the beginning of the kingship crisis that has persisted over the years, maintaining that restoring the hereditary monarchy would provide a lasting solution to the dispute.
The group also faulted the adoption of the Okpalabisi leadership arrangement in 2023, insisting that the hereditary Obi Ada institution remains the legitimate traditional system recognised by the customs and history of Onicha-Olona Kingdom.
