Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described Opobo Kingdom as a historic institution that has played a significant role in Nigeria’s history, particularly in the development of the Niger Delta region.

Jonathan made the remarks when he received the Amanyanabo-Elect of Opobo Kingdom, King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja, Jeki VI, along with members of the Opobo Council of Alapu, at his residence in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.The former President said he was honoured by the visit and emphasised the historical importance of the Jaja monarchy.

He congratulated the Amanyanabo-Elect and pledged to attend his coronation, which is scheduled for September 26, 2026.”Opobo Kingdom is a place with history, and this visit is a big honour,” Jonathan said, adding, “We will come to honour you back.”

King Charles Douglas MacPepple Jaja explained that the delegation visited the former President to exchange views on matters of common interest in the Niger Delta and to formally extend an invitation to the coronation.”We cannot coronate an Opobo monarch without coming to see you,” the monarch told Jonathan.

The coronation is set to take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, as the climax of a ten-day programme running from September 18 to 27.According to a statement issued by Chris Finebon, Chairman of the Media, Publicity and Digital Archives Sub-Committee of the Opobo Kingdom Coronation Committee, traditional rulers, political leaders, members of the diplomatic community, business leaders, and Opobo indigenes from Nigeria and abroad are expected to attend the event.

The Opobo monarchy was established by King Jaja of Opobo, who rose to prominence as a major political and commercial authority in the nineteenth-century Niger Delta.Following the Bonny civil conflict of the late 1860s, Jaja and his associates founded Opobo as an independent political and commercial centre and built a extensive trading network centred on the palm-oil trade.In 1873, King Jaja entered into a commercial treaty with Britain, under which he was formally recognised as King of Opobo.He later clashed with British commercial and imperial interests, leading to his arrest and exile in 1887.

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.