Youths of Ogbe-Obi Village in Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State, recently took to the streets in a peaceful protest to demand the revival of their village’s traditional kingship rights. The demonstrators insisted that Ogbe-Obi, historically recognized as the “King’s Village,” should reclaim its right to produce the Obi, the traditional ruler of the community.
The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions calling for justice and the reinstatement of ancestral rights, argued that the current succession system—known as Okpala-bu-isi—does not reflect the village’s historical and cultural heritage. According to them, the Okpala-bu-isi practice, which allows the most senior titleholder to ascend the throne, was introduced later and is alien to the authentic Onicha-Olona institution.
Addressing journalists after the procession, renowned Nigerian reggae artist and indigene of Ogbe-Obi Village, Kandy Sea, stressed the historical and statutory claims of his village to the Obiship. He alleged that the village’s traditional right to produce the Obi was unjustly disrupted during British colonial rule in 1900. Kandy Sea called on traditional authorities, the Local Government Council, and the Delta State Government to intervene and restore justice, emphasizing that doing so would foster long-term peace and unity within the community.
“The restoration of our traditional rights is about preserving cultural identity and justice, not creating conflict,” Kandy Sea said, urging all stakeholders to resolve the matter fairly and constructively.
The youths reiterated their rejection of the Okpala-bu-isi succession system, pledging to pursue all lawful and peaceful avenues to ensure that the village’s historical rights are recognized. They stressed their commitment to dialogue and peaceful advocacy, avoiding any form of confrontation or lawlessness.
Despite their grievances, the villagers expressed strong support for the leadership of Hon. Emmanuel Basim Chinye, Executive Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government, praising his inclusive governance style and efforts to maintain peace across the council area.
In a show of respect for the local authority, the protesters affirmed that they would not resort to illegal actions, choosing instead to continue pursuing justice through legitimate and constructive means.
The protest concluded without incident, with participants calling for open dialogue between village elders, traditional councils, and government representatives to resolve the longstanding kingship dispute in Onicha-Olona. They emphasized that a fair and transparent resolution would strengthen community cohesion and preserve the cultural heritage of Ogbe-Obi Village.
