Ladies and Gentlemen, Gentlemen of the Press,
It is with a heavy heart that I stand before you this morning on behalf of His Royal Majesty, Udurhie I, the Ovie of the great Idjerhe Kingdom, and the Idjerhe Traditional Council to make this press briefing.
We address several acts of sacrilege, disrespect, and insubordination committed by Chief Solomon Odemero Ojariafe.
Firstly, 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 incident prompting today’s briefing, the 24th of January 2026, involves reliable information that Chief Solomon Ojariafe intended to issue a sacred order for the Chief Priest (Ojada) of Idjerhe Central to conduct a community festival without the King’s consent. 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.
Therefore, to maintain peace and sanity within the great Idjerhe Kingdom, the following rebellious Chiefs have been suspended:
1. Chief Solomon Ojariafe – derobbed as Unugbrogodo of Idjerhe Central Oguedion and suspended as a Chief of Idjerhe Kingdom indefinitely.
2. Chief Michael Enakposegha
3. Chief Super Abonoko
4. Chief Wilfred Agidi
5. Chief Samson Atanaga
6. Chief Lucky Akpore
7. Chief Odoji Dimiyo Emakuneyi
8. Chief Mathieu Abobo
9. Chief James Otugoma
10. Chief Henry Otubu
11. Chief Lucky Emoefe
12. Chief Omonigho Enakposegha
13. Chief Edafe Ikewu
14. Chief Fidelis Sago
15. Chief Mathew Adegor
16. Chief Eugene Adegor
These Chiefs are suspended indefinitely for gross misconduct, insubordination, maladministration, and financial impropriety.
Specifically, as the Unugbrogodo of Idjerhe Central Oguedion, Chief Solomon Ojariafe has failed to account for over ₦25 million that has come into the Oguedion’s account.
We implore all Idjerhe sons and daughters to remain law-abiding, as the traditional administration is doing everything within its power to ensure peace and tranquility prevail in the kingdom.
Regards,
Uzzi Onosia James Obriki
Crown (OTOTA) of Great Idjerhe Kingdom
