By URHOBO monarchs have taken a firm stand against the proliferation of splinter chieftaincy groups, declaring them illegal and warning that traditional sanctions will apply to any chief who aligns with such bodies.
This followed a crucial meeting of the Ikoko r’Ivie (Council of Kings) held on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Oghara.
Urhobo monarchs at the meeting
Speaking on behalf of the kings, His Royal Majesty, Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, said the directive was issued to preserve unity and respect for established tradition.
“From today, 9th December, 2025, no Urhobo chief, whether in Urhobo land or elsewhere, is permitted to belong to any group other than the traditional council of his or her kingdom,” he said.
He revealed that the monarchs were alarmed by the emergence of groups operating under various titles and claiming to represent Urhobo chiefs, insisting that such entities are unknown to Urhobo custom.
“We have observed several breakaway groups parading themselves under different names. This communiqué is to end the confusion and acrimony,” he declared.
According to King Whiskey, the structure of authority within the Urhobo nation remains clear and unchanged:
“Every chief belongs to the traditional council of the kingdom where he or she was installed. No chief has the mandate to form or join a parallel chieftaincy association outside that kingdom,” he affirmed.
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He further announced disciplinary measures for violators. “Any chief or kingdom found associating with these unlawful organisations will face severe sanctions. This matter has been reviewed repeatedly before today’s final resolution,” he cautioned.
The Idjerhe monarch dismissed claims of a central umbrella for chiefs across Urhobo territory.
“There is nothing like an Urhobo Traditional Chiefs Association,” he stated emphatically. “What we have are 24 kingdoms with 24 traditional councils.
“Here in Oghara, for instance, there is the Oghara Traditional Council — and that is how it is in every kingdom.”
With the monarchs united on the issue, the message was clear — loyalty to the crown and respect for indigenous hierarchies must be upheld without compromise.
