Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha got more than he bargained from traditional rulers in Imo state who are increasingly becoming worried over his style of government to monarchs and knack for meddling into the affairs of traditional institution.
At a recent meeting between the royal fathers and the Governor in Owerri, the traditional ruler showed their indignation towards the approach of Okorocha to removing a monarch, when they chorused “no” in unison to reject suggestions by the governor to arbitrary sack any of the traditional ruler found wanting and replace the person with “Acting Traditional Ruler” without recourse to the law in Imo state.
Trumpeta learnt that what seemed to be an open discontent with the manner Okorocha is handing the affairs of the traditional institution played out penultimate Wednesday as the royal fathers strongly resisted attempts to make their stools vulnerable to undue interference by the governor.
As part of his plan to re-invigorate the traditional institution, Okorocha at the meeting announced decision to make available mouth watering packages like official cars, monthly security votes, re-organization of the vigilante services among other things to the royal fathers. Okorocha however drew the ire of the monarchs when he made public intentions to appoint an “Acting Traditional Ruler” in place of any suspended traditional ruler in the state. As if it was a premeditated action, traditional rulers reportedly shouted the governor down in unison by rejecting the said plot, which they alleged to be another plot to cow and victimize uncompromising Ezes.
Some legal professionals among Ndi Ezes present voiced out by informing the governor that Imo State of Nigeria Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Communities Law has no provision for “Acting Traditional Rulers” adding that no clause also allows for arbitrary suspension of any Eze in Imo since procedures for sanctioning any erring Eze is clearly spelt out in the said law.
Obviously taken aback by the reaction of the monarchs, Okorocha changed tactics by suggesting that Traditional Prime Ministers can be made to take charge of any community whose monarch is on suspension which aroused another choruses of rejection from the Ezes who reiterated that such act is unlawful, anti-Igbo culture and also unacceptable to them.
Trumpeta further learnt at the meeting that having failed to get the support of the monarchs in shifting grounds to support illegal suspensions and removals, Okorocha it was gathered raised the issue of raging feud between the court-reinstated chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and the state government.
Okorocha reportedly told the monarchs that Ilomuanya is in the habit of “walking out” on him at public functions revealing that the said action was embarrassing. The governor was reported to have said that since Ilomuanya leadership of Ndi Eze in Imo was sacked by his government in June 2011, he has offered the Obi of Obinugwu alternative government position which the monarch rejected, stating that instead of accepting his olive branch, Ilomuanya resorted to court action which has not only embrassed the state government but also projected him in bad light
According to authoritative sources, Okorocha’s lamentations against Eze Ilomuanya, who is also the Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers, invoked the sympathy of the Royal Fathers, who in a bid to console the governor, started singing songs of solace for him. The governor promptly ordered a stop to that, opining that he did not ask for their sympathy.
The obviously ruffled governor further cited the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Imo State, contending that the manner President Jonathan zoomed off to pay homage to Eze Ilumuanya at his Obinugwu Palace shortly on arrival at the Sam Mbakwe Airport, Owerri, is unprotocol. He argued that Mr President should have sort for proper guidance from him (governor) before rushing off to pay homage to Eze Ilumanya, adding that such occurrence does not portray the state in good light.
It was gathered that some of the traditional rulers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, advised the governor to always recourse to the law before taking decisions. “Government is public business and should not be run as a private enterprise”, a monarch (names withheld) from Owerri zone stated.
Efforts made to reach Eze Cletus Ilomuanya for his reaction to the allegations made against him by the governor proved futile as he was said to be attending a national function in Abuja and no Okorocha aide was willing to react when contacted for comments.
