The looming crisis in Port Harcourt metropolis over Rumueme kingship tussle tears the kingdom apart
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
There is palpable tension in Port Harcourt metropolis as the city watches the developing situation in one of its most prominent traditional seats. A faction of Nsirim Royal family has vowed to protect the sanctity of Apiti stool, insisting that the “revered throne” of their ancestors remains vacant until a legitimate, tradition complaint successor is chosen.
On that note, that camp of the Royal Family has officially dismissed reports of purported proclamation and coronation of Dr. Larry Azunda Nsirim as the new Paramount Ruler/Nyenwe-Eli which took place on Monday, 19 January, 2026.
In a strong worded statement, a copy was made available to Tentacle on Tuesday, January, 20, 2026, the Royal House described the alleged coronation as an “abomination” and a “sacrilegious” violation of the kingdom’s centuries- old traditional succession rites. The family’s reaction follows claims that the Rumueme Council of Chiefs had carried out a secret ceremony to install a new monarch to fill the stool of the late Patriarch, His Royal Majesty, Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim (MON). The Nsirim Royal Family has completely dissociated itself from the act which it labeled a “sham” and “nefarious” They accused the Chairman of the Rumueme Kingdom Council of Traditional Rulers, Chief Larry Nyeche, of orchestrating a politically motivated “theatrical display” designed to spark a needless succession crisis.
According to the statement, Nyenwe-Eli stool is a sacred inheritance that must be occupied through a strictly detained traditional process, not through political appointments or secret arrangements.
The family warned that bypassing these customary norms, threatens the peace and stability of the modern Rumueme kingdom. They stressed that the legacy of their late father, a founding figure of the community, must not be “polluted” by the personal ambitious of “misguided elements”.
But palace sources disclosed to Tentacle that Dr. Larry Azunda Nsirim was crowned as the new monarch of Rumueme Kingdom in line with the Culture and Constitution of Rumueme people and Rumueme Kingdom Council of Traditional Rulers.
According to them the accession of Dr. Azunda Nsirim as the new king follows the passing of the former HRH Late Ndamzi Nsirim last year. Upon the death of the former HRH Ndamzi Nsirim, custom has it that the son of the deceased becomes the next in line for a replacement to the exalted stool in the first instance, in acting capacity. Accordingly, the sources further added that the Council of Rumueme Kingdom performed the final crowning of the new king.
Similarly, the installation of Dr. Azunda Nsirim as king of Rumueme Kingdom has been refuted by Etcheson Aleruchi Nsirim, a kinsman. Chief Etcheson Nsirim who is the Eze Odohia Oha 1 of Rumueme Kingdom cautioned all those building ember of crisis to desist forthwith and embrace peace.
Chief Etcheson Nsirim who is the Head of Akinaka Royal Family in Rumueme Kingdom and oldest man in the family therefore faulted that the called the “purported installation and coronation of new Nyewe-Eli of Rumueme Kingdom. He maintained that the issue of Nyewe-Eli of Rumueme Kingdom is not in dispute, because he is still alive. He therefore advised all those levying claim to the revered stool to discontinue as such claim is born out of selfishness, greed, power hunger and that it is contrary to the ascension order of king of Rumueme Kingdom.
He cautioned Larry Nyeche to stop parading himself as Prime Minister of Rumueme Kingdom and advised body which operates in the name and style of RUMUEME KINGDOM SUPREME COUNCIL OF CHIEF ELDERS AND OWHOR HOLDERS, led by Chief Timothy Nsirim to refrain their self-seeking ambition to further divide people of Rumueme Kingdom.
He also faulted those who are insinuating that the Nyewe Eli stool be bestowed within the immediate family of late Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim (MON) stating that such practice is alien to their tradition (father to son). He also appealed to the general public and the good people of Rivers State to disregard any information making rounds that king of Rumueme has been installed.
Again, the Royal family further clarified its political standing, reaffirming a strong bond with the immediate past governor and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
However, they cautioned against dragging the Nsirim name into “manufactured political conflicts” insisting that the traditional institution must remain independent of external manipulation. They family declared that it would not “sell its birth right” for any temporary political gain.
In a direct appeal to the state government, the family called on the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs with hold any form of official recognition from Dr. Larry Azunda Nsirim. They warned that recognizing a monarch who emerged through a disputed and nontraditional process could trigger a serious security crisis within the kingdom.
Crown Prince Nyeche Henry Nsirim who spoke along with other senior family heads, urged the people of Rumueme to remain calm while the family pursues restoration of due process while Chief Etcheson Nsirim on the other hand, call on the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara and security agencies to caution all perpetuation of crisis in Rumueme kingdom and to let peace reign.
