The recent suspension of the traditional ruler of Umukwata, HRH Friday Abaja, the Ukwata 1 of Umukwata Kingdom, by Delta State Government is creating tension in the state.
The Delta State Government, in conjunction with the office of Directorates of State’s Chieftaincy Affairs, recently slammed a six months suspension on the monarch for alleged “acts inimical to peace, order and good governance”.
But the suspension has been described as politically motivated, occasioned by the king’s political anonymity throughout the electioneering period and actions meant to punish the people of the area.
Meanwhile, the Ukwuani Social Improvement League (USIL) not only faulted the suspension but called it an insult on the dignity of the people of Ukwauni
The body threatened that such insults would no longer be tolerated by their people because they cannot recall when such demeaning action has been meted out against other monarchs in Delta State.
“Not too long ago, a number of our chiefs and elders were detained arbitrarily at Ogwashi Ukwu Prison by Governor Okowa for over a month allegedly for issues relating to communal conflicts.”
Chidi Uwaboufu, chairman of the group, in a press conference held in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area, at the weekend, said the state government should stop the insults.
Given the foregoing, the body resolved that Governor Okowa, “as a matter of urgency, must withdraw the suspension and tender an unreserved apology to Ukwuani people for his misguided decision to suspend the Ukwata 1 of Umukwata kingdom which we consider to be a slap on our faces.
“Again, the governor must also inform the general public stating clearly and unequivocally, the offence committed by His royal Majesty to warrant the kind of treatment meted out to a man who singlehandedly has transformed the Umukwata Kingdom both in terms of infrastructure and human capital development, a kingdom that was hitherto abandoned by the state government over the years. And indeed, this is a man who has contributed immensely to the development of the economic landscape of the state.”
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