The Paramount Ruler of Ogale community and Oneh-Eh Nchia X of Eleme in Eleme Local, Government Area of Rivers State, King Godwin Bebe-Okpabi has advised all those coveting and contending for traditional ruler’s stool, especially, impostors to desist from their acts and refrain from judicial, traditional or political coup, in order to ascend a throne as rulership and kingship are given by God. According to him, “kingship is a calling and if you are called, your people will select you”.
King Bebe-Okpabi said this during a reception that was organized in his palace following a thanksgiving service tagged ‘Sacrifice of Praise and Worship to the Almighty God’ last Sunday at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Nchia, Eleme.
The thanksgiving service, he said, was in fulfilment of his vow to God during a trying period occasioned by a tussle over his throne by an impostor. The King was under a court’s bench warrant/order which sought to commit him to prison over contempt since May 16, 2024, however, the order has now been stayed by the same court following a successful motion last week.
Speaking on the events leading to the thanksgiving, the King said, “I just survived a high level conspiracy that tried to scuttle my stool and to embarrass me, to keep me away from my Kingdom and comfort zone. It is a long story of somebody who has for over 10 years been trying to impersonate titles, he wants to borrow any title he can wear, if he cannot borrow it, then, he would snatch it, if he cannot snatch it, he would try to create one… by the grace of God, our people went through the tradition and selected me as the Oneh-Eh Ogale, in 2020, the district stool of Nchia became vacant and was to be contested for among the six traditional rulers within the district. I was selected, installed and my name forwarded to government for recognition, which was done. Again, this individual, who was not eligible, started his covetousness. He managed to get a court order against me to drag me out of my stool. But no one can take away from you what God has given to you no matter the way the scenario is painted, the connection, the inducement and manipulative tendencies, God will vindicate you, He is the maker of Kings”.
The matter, he added, has gone to the Court of Appeal where he is optimistic that justice would prevail. “The judiciary will soon know the impostor, the media and public already know him, it would soon be exposed that he is not even a chief but an impostor, who wants to manipulate the system to be called a King. He is a commercial chief, only in the media and companies”.
Earlier, during the Praise and Worship Service sermon tagged, A Grateful Heart (2nd Samuel 6 vs 14-21)which was delivered by Ven. Obinna Ochulor, who represented the Bishop of Niger Delta North Diocese, Rt Rev Wisdom Ihunwo, the need to stay faithful to one’s vow to God was stressed. The Vicar harped on the value of showing appreciation and consequences of ingratitude. According to him, “thanksgiving must come from the depth of your heart and committed worshippers are threat to the devil. People must learn how to worship God for mountains to move”.
The service was attended by friends and family members of the King, traditional rulers and heavyweights in Nchia and beyond.
Also speaking at the King’s palace, a former CTC chairman of Eleme LGA, Prince Awalanta Ejire and former ambassador to The Netherlands, Amb. Oji Ngofa said they were part of the occasion in order to felicitate and rejoice with the king over what the Lord had done for him and the people of Nchia. For Prince Ejire, he stands with King Bebe-Okpabi and support him because he supports what is right traditionally and otherwise.

Ambassador Ngofa on his part believes that the people should always find a way to reconcile no matter the grievances. “We should always find a way to sit down and build peace, it is better for the development and growth of our people instead of looking for a way to witch-hunt and fight people because of chieftaincy disagreements”.
It is pertinent to note that all chiefs and members of the Council of Chiefs of the district, were part of the service and reception in solidarity with King Bebe-Okpabi.