The Ubulu-Uku Traditional Council has dismissed reports alleging the suspension of Chief James Asika Onwordi, the Onishe of Ubulu-Uku, describing them as inaccurate and not reflective of any official decision of the Council.
In a statement issued on Thursday, signed by 17 members of the Obi-in-Council, the Council stressed that no formal process to suspend the Onishe has been initiated or concluded.
“The Onishe has contributed significantly to the affairs of the kingdom. It is important that any concerns be addressed through appropriate traditional channels,” the Council stated.
Responding to claims that Chief Onwordi was suspended for failing to attend a meeting, the Council clarified that he had not received any formal notice of such a gathering. It further explained that he had been resident in the community for an extended period before embarking on a brief trip to Abuja.
The statement underscored that traditional protocol requires the involvement of relevant royal families and high chiefs in such matters, stressing the need for strict adherence to custom and procedure.
Appealing for calm, the Council urged all parties to respect the kingdom’s traditional institutions and processes, and encouraged the monarch to play a direct role in resolving the issue in the interest of peace and unity.
The communiqué, issued from the Office of the Secretary of the Ubulu-Uku Traditional Council, was distributed to the relevant royal families. (vanguard)