Prince Akaeze
Traditional rulers in Aniocha South Local Council of Delta State have taken steps to stem the escalating spate of acrimony among indigenes of Ubulu-Uku over who succeeds the late king of the town, His Royal Highness, Akaeze Ofulue III, who was kidnapped and murdered in January, by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Prior to his death, there had been controversy over his ascension to the throne as he was stated to be junior to three other male siblings whose mother is a Briton. Succession to the Ubulu-Uku throne is stated to be based on primogeniture, hence the controversy, which has pitched indigenes of the town into camps.
The monarchs, who gathered under the aegis of Aniocha South Traditional Council at the weekend in Ogwashi-Uku, had received some delegates numbering about 20, led by Chief Alfred Mordi-Ojulubi from Ubulu-Uku.
Based on what was gathered, the Mordi-Ojulubi-led team was at the council to ‘lobby’ the traditional council to initiate a move that would facilitate the issuance of Staff of Office to Prince Chukwuka Noah Akaeze, the 15- year-old first son of the late Akaeze by the state government.
There was, however, a dramatic turn of event when a delegation of nine members of Umu Ozim (owners of the throne) led by Chief Augustine Ikezue “Odafe-Ede” of Ubulu-Uku, stormed the meeting venue to protest against the Mordi-Ojulubi team with the argument that the rightful person to ascend the throne was Umuogwu Edward Okwuchukwu Ofulue, the first son of the late Obi Edward Ofulue II.
Based on what was gathered, unexpected appearance of the Odafe-Ede group shocked Chief Mordi Ojulubi and members of his team as they had expected smooth sail of their mission. The two groups were stated to be serious with their positions and would do anything to achieve it.
The traditional council members were stated to be uimous in ruling that all parties should return home and wait for the council’s decision as it would be communicated to them in a month’s time after studying the petition from Umuogwu Edward Okwuchukwu Ofulue, which was stated to be “weighty in contents.”
Guardian