The Idjerhe Traditional Council has suspended no fewer than 16 chiefs indefinitely in a sweeping disciplinary action aimed at restoring peace, order and respect for constituted traditional authority within the Idjerhe Kingdom of Delta State.

Those affected by the decision include Chief Solomon Ojariafe, who has been derobbed as the Unugbrogodo of Idjerhe Central Oguedion, alongside Chiefs Michael Enakposegha, Super Abonoko, Wilfred Agidi, Samson Atanaga, Lucky Akpore, Odoji Dimiyo Emakuneyi, Mathieu Abobo, James Otugoma, Henry Otubu, Lucky Emoefe, Omonigho Enakposegha, Edafe Ikewu, Fidelis Sago, Mathew Adegor and Eugene Adegor.

The traditional council said the chiefs were suspended for gross misconduct, insubordination, maladministration and alleged financial impropriety, actions it described as inimical to peace and the age-long customs of the kingdom.

At the centre of the crisis is Chief Solomon Ojariafe, who, according to the council, failed to account for over ₦25 million said to have accrued to the Idjerhe Central Oguedion’s account during his tenure.

The council further accused him of acts bordering on sacrilege and open defiance of the authority of the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom.

Addressing a press briefing in Idjerhe on Saturday, the Crown (Otota) of the kingdom, Uzzi Onosia James Obriki, spoke on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Udurhie I, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, Monday Whiskey, and members of the Idjerhe Traditional Council.

Obriki alleged that Chief Ojariafe instructed chiefs under the Idjerhe Central Oguedion to boycott the fifth coronation anniversary of the Ovie, held between January 15 and 18, 2026, an action he described as a “grave insult to the throne and a serious breach of tradition.”

He further disclosed that invitations for the anniversary, dispatched on January 8 to the three Oguedions in the kingdom—Idjerhe Central, Onyobru and Boboroku—were rejected by Chief Ojariafe on what the council termed a flimsy and culturally unfounded excuse over nomenclature.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the three Oguedions are independent but administratively subordinate to the Ovie. Any attempt to undermine this structure threatens the unity of the kingdom,” Obriki said.

The council also raised alarm over intelligence reports that Chief Ojariafe allegedly planned to direct the Chief Priest (Ojada) of Idjerhe Central to conduct a community festival without the consent of the king, an act described as a direct violation of tradition, as only the Ovie has the authority to approve and fix dates for such ceremonies.

In addition, the palace accused the former Unugbrogodo of refusing, since February 2025, to submit a list of palace chiefs from Idjerhe Central Oguedion, contrary to established practice, allegedly out of fear that such chiefs would owe loyalty to the throne rather than to him.

The Idjerhe Traditional Council also frowned at Chief Ojariafe’s alleged reception of leaders of a banned traditional chiefs’ association, despite an existing ban imposed by the Urhobo Traditional Council under the chairmanship of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Emmanuel Sideso Abbey I.

Describing the development as an affront to Urhobo traditional institutions, the council said it would not tolerate actions capable of dragging the kingdom into crisis.

While urging sons and daughters of Idjerhe Kingdom to remain calm and law-abiding, the council maintained that the suspensions were taken in the overall interest of peace, stability and the preservation of cultural values.

“The traditional administration will continue to act decisively to ensure peace and tranquillity reign supreme in the kingdom,” Obriki assured. (The Guardian, excluding headline)

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