Chief Uparan Emerges Acting Otota As Udu Traditional Council of Chiefs Suspend Odibo

Chief Matthew Uparan (JP) has emerged as the acting Otota (traditional spokesman) of Udu Kingdom following the suspension of Sir Chief Sam Odibo from office as Otota over alleged compromise and insubordination.

Odibo was kicked out on Wednesday after a vote of no confidence was passed on him by the traditional Council of Chiefs.

Chief Matthew Uparan is to acting as Otota pending the selection of a substantive Otota.

The sack of Odibo and subsequent appointment of Uparan in acting capacity was contained in a statement signed by Triple Chief C.C.I. Whiliki, Chief Pleasure Ghavwan, Chief Otto Ogboriveta (Vice Chairman of Traditional Council) and Chief Stanley Tesi on behalf of the Council of Chiefs.

The statement read in part, “Following the various compromising activities exhibited by the Otota of Udu kingdom, Sir Chief Sam Odibo whose responsibility is to stand in the stead of the Ovie to protect, defend and promote the interest of the Ovie and the integrity of the kingdom as his spokesman and Prime Minister of Udu Kingdom.

“It has become evidentially clear and embarrassing that Otota’s actions have been at variance to his exalted position in this transitional period. Noticeably as mentioned below.

“Otota insubordination, negligence and betrayal, made him to deliberately on several occasions disobeyed H.R.M directives to call meetings of all Udu Chiefs when he was still around and even till date.

“Bringing to focus this critical instance where he deliberately refused to inform/invite and communicate Ovie’s directive as his representative, for all Udu Chiefs to participate in the State Government summoned town hall meeting held 14th August, 2024 at Otor- Udu on Union of Udu Communities (UUC) and Udu Traditional Council (UTC) issues, hence the whole process was hijacked. A kingdom that is over 30 years.

“It was so disheartening and sad that upon the demise of Ovie while we were mourning, Otota found it comfortable and betrayed the kingdom by working with a factional Council of Chiefs, those not recognized and accepted by Ovie.

“To the extent that Otota horridly appointed a new Secretary of the Council of Chiefs ignoring the already existing Secretary and members of Udu Council of Chiefs that OVIE worked with and were not dissolved, out rightly undermined the authority of the Ovie, his concerns and position on the membership of the Udu Council of Chiefs before, his demise.

“Just like that! Instead of Otota to see how the issue will be addressed and resolved to bring peace and unity, in honor of OVIE’s memory and respectfully fulfilling his purpose to correct the wrong.

“Udu Chiefs who visited Otota at his home in Egini to draw his attention to sundry issues, were petitioned and called hoodlums, thugs and cultists because they are opposed to the illegal ways of his factional Council of Chiefs, and Otota sees nothing wrong with that.

“Otota suspended Chief Andrew Orugbo, Chief Johnbull Onoherhe and others who have questioned his wrong doings.

“There are cases of misappropriation of funds just a few months later upon the demise of OVIE, this is in addition to persistence lies and blackmail of OVIE over the 5% Traditional Committee Funds, that he, Otota has not been getting anything from Ovie.

“Meanwhile Ovie in his magnanimity since inception allowed the funds to be paid directly to Otota’s account from where he gives him a total sum of N500,000.00 before any disbursement till Ovie’s demise, when this shocking revelation became known. This is indeed, an abuse of office and a disservice to the THRONE of Udu kingdom. Enough is enough.

“It is therefore imperative, coupled with Sir Chief Sam Odibo JP health challenges; he has become unfit to function as the Otota of Udu Kingdom.

“We, the members of Udu Council of Chiefs/Udu Chiefs Forum, the body of all Udu Chiefs do hereby; pass a vote of no confidence on Sir Chief Sam Odibo JP, the Otota of Udu kingdom. He is on this day 14th May, 2025 removed and sized forthwith to function in that capacity.” It added.

Meanwhile, efforts to get reaction from the suspended Otota through calls to his mobile Airtel number rang out without response. Text messages were not returned also.