A bloody crisis is said to be currently looming at Idumuje-Ugboko community, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta state over the rightful and legitimate person to ascend the traditional stool of the kingdom.
The brewing crisis is said to be between the king makers and the chief in council
(Obi in Council), following the exits of the king, Obi Albert Nwoko III whose demise was earlier announce by the community at the rip age of 98 years.
HardReporters gathered that two sons of the late Obi are contending for the throne and one of the sons, Prince Uche Nwoko, who is 18-year old, final year secondary school student, gained popularity as a rightful choice while a section of the palace went to illegally installed Prince Justin Chukwunonso Nwoko as the next king, thus generating what community watchers described as a set back to the customs and tradition of the people as the requisite formalities and notification of relevant authorities were not followed.
Our correspondent learnt that while the war rages between the camp of Prince Chukwunonso and those supporting Prince Uche, the palace has been virtually deserted as indigenes envisaged war, while the Traditional Rulers Council in Aniocha North local government area has set modalities in motion to investigate the matter.
It was learnt that those supporting Prince Uche are of the view that he is more qualified owing to the fact that his parents are from Idumuje-Ugboko, “Any crowning should wait until after the three months
burial rites for the late king. A desecration of the tradition occurred when Chukwunonso was put on the stool by only one man as against the six required by tradition”, a family member revealed.
The family source said, “A protests against this was shoved aside by Prince Mbanefo Nwoko who insisted that Prince Chukwunonso should sit on the stool
the same night the Obi passed on. The haste is simply to frustrate the young Prince Uche who is in command secondary school in faraway Ebonyi State”.
Investigation revealed that for the safety of the young Prince Uche, a lawyer was contacted to petition his contender, Prince Chukwunonso who they said his mother is not from the community as custom and tradition demands.
“By the standing order and rule in Idumuje-Ugboko, Prince Justin Chukwunonso Nwoko is not qualified to ascend the throne of Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko.” a source stated.
HardReporters gathered that already a strong worded petition against Prince Chukwunonso by Mr. Ikhide Ehigheliua Esq, on behalf of Prince Uche and others has been forwarded to the chairman of Aniocha North local government area.
The petitioners alleged that Prince Chukwunonso has many impediments against him, including his mother is from Ubulu-Uku, not from Idumuje-Ugboko kingdom as prescribed by the tradition and customs and that Prince Chukwunonso is
currently standing trial in the Magistrates’ Court, Asaba, for alleged offence of forgery and conspiracy in case number CMA/420c/2016, Commissioner of Police Vs Prince Chukwunonso Nwoko and two others.
The petitioners also cited other cases in addition to a case of false information against Prince Chukwunonso in police case file number CR: 17/2017, alleging that he is of unsound mind, having suffered from a mental problem at an early stage of his life leading to his withdrawal from the University of Benin.
They called on relevant authorities to ensure that Prince Uche is presented, installed and crowned as the Obi of Idumuje-Ugboko kingdom.
When contacted on the issues, the Chairman of Aniocha North local government area, Mr. Chuks Oseme,
confirmed to HardReporters the kingship tussle in Idumuje –Ugboko, saying that he received a petition and the Traditional Rulers Council, Aniocha North chapter, will investigate the issue.
A source in the family confided in HardReporters that a professor of note in the family, Prince Somayina Nwoko who passed on late last year, had raised an alarm a year before he died in his now famous write up stating unequivocally that Prince Chukwunonso was not qualified to mount the throne as a king.
