The Idjerhe Traditional Council in Delta State has suspended 16 chiefs, over allegations of misconduct, insubordination, and financial impropriety. The suspended chiefs include Chief Solomon Ojariafe, who was derobbed as Unugbrogodo of Idjerhe Central Oguedion. They were accused of boycotting the Ovie’s 5th coronation anniversary celebration and refusing to submit a list of palace chiefs as required by tradition. The council also alleged that Chief Ojariafe failed to account for over ₦25 million in Idjerhe Central Oguedion’s account.
“During the celebration of His Royal Majesty’s 5th Coronation Anniversary from the 15th to the 18th of January 2026, Chief Solomon Ojariafe instructed all chiefs of the Idjerhe Central Oguedion to boycott the ceremony, and a majority complied. This act in itself is a sacrilege and a profound disrespect to the throne.
Furthermore, on the 8th of January 2026, letters of invitation for the anniversary were sent to the three Oguedions of the Idjerhe Kingdom.Chief Solomon Ojariafe rejected the invitation for Idjerhe Central Oguedion under the pretext that the letter was addressed to the ‘Unugbrogodo of Idjerhe Kingdom.’ This nomenclature is alien to the culture and tradition of our great kingdom. For clarity, the three Oguedions in Idjerhe Kingdom are independent and presided over by an Unugbrogodo (Duke), who is subordinate to the King for administrative purposes.The King is the sole custodian and supreme authority of our traditions.
Setting dates for all traditional ceremonies is the King’s traditional function, done at the palace in the presence of all Chiefs, including the traditional Prime Minister (Crown Otota – Iyasere). Additionally, since February 2025, the Palace has requested the three Oguedions—Idjerhe Central, Onyobru and Boboroku—to submit lists of palace Chiefs as traditionally required.
While the Oguedions of Onyobru and Boboroku have complied, Idjerhe Central Oguedion has bluntly refused. This refusal stems from Chief Solomon Ojariafe’s fear that such appointees would no longer be loyal to him.
It is also worthy of note that the leadership of the Urhobo Traditional Council, under the chairmanship of His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Sideso Abbey I, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, has banned traditional Chiefs’ associations throughout the Urhobo nation. Despite this, Chief Solomon Ojariafe recently received the leadership of one such banned group. The Idjerhe Traditional Council views this meeting as an affront and a direct disregard for the Urhobo traditional rulers, including the Ovie of the great Idjerhe Kingdom.” the statement confirming their suspension reads.
Idjerhe Kingdom is one of the prestigious Urhobo kingdom located in Ethiope west local government area of Delta state located close to Mosogar and Oghara kingdoms. The kingdom was notable for the 1998 fire disaster that claimed million lives.
