Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has accepted an invitation to attend the September 26, 2026, coronation of the Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI.
Jonathan received the Amanyanabo and members of the Opobo Council of Alapu at his residence in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, during engagements ahead of the coronation. Describing Opobo as a historic kingdom, Jonathan said its monarchy had made significant contributions to Nigeria’s history. “Opobo Kingdom is a place with history, and this visit is a big honour,” Jonathan said. He added, “We will come to honour you back,” confirming his attendance at the coronation. Jonathan congratulated the Amanyanabo and acknowledged the importance of the Opobo throne to the history of the Niger Delta. On his part, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja said the visit was intended to rub minds on issues of common interest in the region and to formally invite the former President, a foremost ijaw son and Nigerian leader. “We cannot coronate an Opobo monarch without coming to see you,” King Charles told President Jonathan. The coronation will take place on Saturday, September 26, as the main event of a ten-day programme scheduled for September 18 to 27.
The Opobo monarchy was established by King Jaja of Opobo, who became a major political and commercial authority in the nineteenth-century Niger Delta.
Following the Bonny civil conflict of the late 1860s, Jaja and his compatriots established Opobo as an independent political and commercial centre, developing a trading network and exercising significant influence over the palm-oil trade between the Niger Delta hinterland and the Atlantic coast. Britain then entered into a commercial treaty with Jaja in 1873, formally recognising him as King of Opobo. Jaja later clashed with British commercial and imperial interests and was arrested and exiled in 1887, an episode that remains part of the history of colonial relations in the Niger Delta.
King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja became Amanyanabo-Elect following the death of King Dandeson Douglas Jaja and is scheduled to be formally crowned Amanyanabo of Opobo Kingdom on September 26.
Traditional rulers, political leaders, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders and Opobo indigenes from Nigeria and abroad are expected to attend.
