Okey Bakassi has officially transitioned from movie royalty to real-life monarch as the celebrated Nollywood actor and comedian was crowned the traditional ruler of Umuihuocha Autonomous Community in Mbaise, Imo State. The coronation ceremony, which held earlier this week, was a colorful display of Igbo heritage, as Bakassi was presented as His Royal Highness Eze Okechukwu Onyegbule, the Okwe II of Umuihuocha Obohia.
Draped in regal attire and surrounded by kinsmen, Bakassi was ceremonially led into his new role amidst traditional rites and joyful community chants. Sharing moments from the event on Instagram, he captioned the video: “Special presentation as king (Eze) of Umuihuocha community.” The actor’s coronation came just two weeks after he made his acceptance of the royal appointment public.
The announcement has since gone viral, with fans, colleagues, and cultural enthusiasts congratulating him across social platforms. The transformation of the respected entertainer into a traditional ruler has added to the growing list of celebrities embracing cultural leadership in their hometowns, merging fame with ancestral responsibilities.
Eze Okechukwu Onyegbule II is expected to steer the Umuihuocha community into a new era of unity and development. Insiders say his charisma, public service experience, and widespread respect make him a natural fit for the throne. His previous stint as Senior Special Assistant on Entertainment to former Imo State governor Ikedi Ohakim also prepared him for leadership beyond the screen.
The coronation ceremony was a celebration of identity, featuring Igbo dances, drumming, kola nut blessings, and homage-paying by elders and youth alike. Community leaders expressed confidence in his reign, calling it a symbol of progress and pride for Mbaise and the larger Igbo nation.
Supporters and fans online have now dubbed him “The People’s King,” with hashtags like #EzeOkeyBakassi, #UmuihuochaThrone, and #IgboRoyalty trending across social media. For many, his rise to kingship proves that talent and tradition can harmoniously coexist.
With a voice now echoing in both entertainment and cultural governance, His Royal Highness Eze Bakassi begins a reign that promises to blend modern influence with ancestral values.
