KULA: Its People, History & Kings

The original founders of the Kula Kingdom were Ijaws who migrated from Okpoin-Ama in the current Central Delta. They landed at the Warri area (Iselema) in a place called Ita-Kula (Itsekiri junction), where they inter-married with the Itsekiri people.

Under the central leadership of Opu Kulabe (Tari Kulabe), they flourished. It was Opukulabe and his followers that first deforested Opu-Kula land and settled before allotting land to his followers. Those who followed him from Warri were appointed to take care of different settlements as heads and Chiefs.

By the time the various groups settled, Kula had developed 14 Communities spread across the bight of Bonny with the Atlantic Ocean on the South. This foundation set the stage for the three great eras of kingship that followed.

From the reign of HRM & Greatness King Opu-Igbaniye Oko I to the present incumbent, HRM King Bourdillon Ekine Oko XXVIII, the throne of Kula has been occupied by a continuous line of rulers from the Oko Royal House.

The current era operates on a peaceful rotation system across the seven lineages of the Royal Family, ensuring stability and divine order. The 28th King, a retired police officer, continues to uphold the ancient traditions and spiritual authority of the Kingdom.

Until the 1980s, the occupancy of the Kula throne was never in contention. The matter began when two sons of the Sara house fought over the headship of the Sara stool, and mid-way into the legal battle, attempted to demand the throne of the King of Kula.

Every court in Nigeria that heard the case—from the Degema High Court to the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt—refused to grant Chief Kroma Eleki the kingship. The courts confirmed that Chief Eleki did not undergo the kingship rites of Kula and was not from the Oko Royal Family.