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ndications have emerged that the face off between the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Sam Ohiri and his three deputies has deepened with accusations of dictatorship, high handedness, corrupt practices, neglect and disregard leveled against Eze Ohiri.
According to a member of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers from Owerri Zone (names withheld), Eze Ohiri has no confidence in his deputies and the council members as he always alleges that they want to remove him from office and prefer to partner with the Local Government Chairmen of Traditional Rulers.
The source disclosed that the crisis between Eze Ohiri and his deputies has been referred to the patrons for settlement but Eze Ohiri appears unwilling. The Deputy Chairman, Okigwe Zone, Eze Matthew Owerri, it is believed, accused Eze Ohiri of usurping his functions while Eze Ohiri has vowed to deal with any Eze that step on his toes.
Almost two years now, it is alleged that Eze Ohiri has not summoned any meeting of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers and has been allegedly pocketing their sitting allowance, maintaining that their monthly allowance of N15,000 per member has not been paid since their inception of office.
Eze Ohiri is also accused of awarding some contracts alone, as he does not consult his deputies and the council members but runs one a man administration as a dictator. The Ezes believe that if the problem between Eze Imo and his deputies is not amicably settled, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers will decay as the members have concluded plans to wage war against Eze Ohiri over his administrative style.
A reliable source disclosed that the council members from Owerri zone met on Monday April 15, 2013 at the palace of a fearless Eze from Owerri North in order to discuss and harmonize issues before they proceed to meet Governor Rochas Okorocha with the on-going development. It is gathered that Eze Ohiri’s days are numbered as his colleagues have advised him to emulate his successors and carry all Ezes along instead of his care free attitude to Imo Ezes.
The source revealed that Eze Imo paid his way through his plum position to the Governor during the electioneering campaign, Eze Chidume Okoro, the Deputy Chairman of Owerri Zone paid a fee to secure his position, Eze Matthew Onweni of Okigwe Zone was compensated because of his loyalty to the Governor during his campaign against his kinsmen, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume the ACN Governorship candidate and the PDP Governorship candidate, Chief Ikedi Ohakim. The Orlu Zone Deputy Chairman, Eze Emma C. Okeke was appointed because he barely took Owelle Rochas Okorocha to his Amaifeke-Orlu palace when the then Chairman of Orsu Local Government Area, the council hall where the Ezes were to welcome Owelle Okorocha in 2011.
Efforts to speak to Eze Ohiri on the allegations as at press time was futile.
