THE SELECTION OF ONEH-EH NCHIA FOLLOWS A CLEAR TRADITION - CHIEF ONURA OKEREKE

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW



In the wake of the June 13, 2025 Court of Appeal judgment in Port Harcourt, which upheld the High Court ruling validating King Appolus Chu as the Oneh-eh Nchia X, questions have continued to emerge about the traditional processes that govern the selection of the head of the Nchia district in Eleme Kingdom.

To shed light on the issue, Eleme Today spoke with Chief Dr. Onura Okereke, the Land Priest of Alesa Clan and Chairman of the Eleme Land Priests Association — a critical institution in the traditional leadership structure of Eleme. In this interview conducted by Nwafor Oji Awala, Chief Okereke gives his view on the judgment and outlines the traditional selection process for the Oneh-eh Nchia.

Eleme Today: Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Chief Okereke: I am Chief Dr. Onura Okereke, the Land Priest of Alesa Clan. I also serve as the Chairman of the Eleme Land Priests Association.

Eleme Today: What is your reaction to the recent Court of Appeal judgment which affirmed King Appolus Chu as the Oneh-eh Nchia X?

Chief Okereke: I have heard about the judgment, but I was not in court when it was delivered, and I haven’t seen the full text yet.



Eleme Today: As the Chairman of the Eleme Land Priests Association and a traditional leader, who do you recognize as the rightful Oneh-eh Nchia X?

Chief Okereke: As far as our customs are concerned, the authentic Oneh-eh Nchia X is King Godwin Maduabushi Bebe Okpabi. I was present during his selection, which was carried out in full accordance with our tradition.

Eleme Today: Can you explain the traditional process of selecting a Oneh-eh Nchia?

Chief Okereke: Certainly. The process is guided strictly by our customs. From the time of Moses Ngofa, who was himself Oneh-eh Nchia, to his successor Chief Amos Kattey, the procedure has remained consistent. I was quite young when Moses Ngofa was selected, but I witnessed the selection of Amos Kattey at the palace of Ngei O Ngei, who was then the Oneh-eh Eleme.
When Kattey passed on, Oluka Ejire succeeded him. Again, Ejire was chosen at the palace of Ngei O Ngei. Later, when Ejire became the Oneh-eh Eleme following the death of Ngei, Philip Obele was selected as the next Oneh-eh Nchia. His selection was conducted by the Nchia Council of Chiefs at Ejire’s palace.
The process followed by the Nchia Council of Chiefs and overseen by the land priests has always been the tradition. When Philip Obele became Oneh-eh Eleme, Bebe Okpabi was selected at his palace through the same customary process.
The stool of Oneh-eh Nchia belongs to the entire Nchia people. The Nchia Council of Chiefs — representing all six clans — selects the Oneh-eh Nchia. Chief Bebe Okpabi was chosen by that council.
Only individuals who are recognized clan heads from the six clans of Nchia — Ogale, Agbonchia, Aleto, Alesa, Alode, and Akpajo — are eligible to contest for the stool. Anyone who is not a clan head of these six cannot contest.



Eleme Today: Some believe government should intervene in traditional leadership disputes. Should the state have a say in this process?

Chief Okereke: No, it’s not the place of government to decide for the Nchia people. The tradition of Nchia dictates that the people sit together and decide who should occupy the stool. It is our cultural right and heritage. We have always done so, and we will continue to do so in accordance with our customs.

Eleme Today: Thank you for your time!

Chief Okereke: You are welcome.

Interview by Nwafor Oji Awala
Eleme Today Newspaper

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