Ayama Ekede royal family in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has rejected the reported coronation of Mr Iko Ijok Uboonikakita as Okanama of Ayama Ekede Town, insisting that HRH King Obonna O. O. Ekprikpo VIII remains the town’s recognised paramount ruler.
The Ekprikpo Royal Family made the position known in a press release dated 3 August 2026, following reports of a purported coronation involving Mr Uboonikakita which, according to the family, began circulating on 1 August.
The family described the reported coronation as false and misleading. It said it was issuing the statement to clarify its position and prevent members of the public from being misled by competing claims to the traditional stool.
According to the Ayama Ekede royal family, the Ekprikpo Royal Family is the exclusive royal family entitled to produce the Okanama, or paramount ruler, of Ayama Ekede.
The family said it exercised that traditional authority when it elected and later crowned King Obonna O. O. Ekprikpo VIII on 16 May 2026.
It said the coronation took place during a well-attended ceremony and followed the customs and traditions of the Obolo people as applicable in Andoni Local Government Area.
The royal family therefore reaffirmed that King Ekprikpo remains the Okanama and paramount ruler of Ayama Ekede Town.
However, the statement also rejected the claim that Mr Uboonikakita had been elected or crowned by the Ekprikpo Royal Family.
The family said Mr Uboonikakita was never elected or coronated by it to occupy the traditional position.
It further accused him of presenting himself as Okanama and urged members of the public not to recognise or deal with him in that capacity.
The statement described him as an “imposter”, although that allegation remains the position of the royal family and was not independently established in the release.
The dispute highlights the importance of traditional leadership structures and customary succession in communities where royal families play a central role in selecting traditional rulers.
Such disputes can also create confusion among residents, government authorities and other stakeholders when rival individuals claim the same traditional title.
For now, the Ekprikpo Royal Family says its position is clear: King Obonna O. O. Ekprikpo VIII remains the Okanama and paramount ruler of Ayama Ekede.
The press release was signed by Elder Hon. Ekprikpo Adasi O., chairman of the Ekprikpo Royal Family, and Ekprikpo Ufikayiro E., secretary.
It also carried the names of Chief H. I. E. Asuk, Chief Andrew O. Otikor, Chief I. O. Dick, Chief Edward D. Inyasi, Chief Okwudiwa J. Gogogwute, Chief Ayauji G. Asuk-Adasi and Chief Ralph Oboada Ebida.
The royal family has called on the public to disregard the rival coronation claim while reaffirming its support for King Ekprikpo’s leadership.
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