The inglorious battle over who is the authentic Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional rulers, took another funny dimension yesterday Amaifeke, Orlu LGA during the Iri ji festival of the people.
An Appeal Court had two months ago removed Eze Samuel Ohiri and re-instated Eze Cletus Ilomuanya who was in charge before Ohiri came into power. The state government is yet to respect the court order.
However, a tinge of drama ensued at the Iri ji (New Yam) festival when the traditional ruler and deputy chairman of Ndi Eze of Orlu Zone, Eze E.C. Okeke presented kola nuts to welcome guests. Eze Okekeke presented the kola nut to his colleagues, Eze Chidume Okoro who is the Deputy Chairman of Owerri Zone for the public. In observation of the “kola nut ritual” Eze Okoro took the kolanut to Eze Ohiri before it reached the hands of Eze Ilomuanya.
Eze Ilomuanya however made a detour during the observation of the kolanut presentation “ritual” when he took one kolanut as Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and another as undisputed Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers before pocketing one again as personal kola.
When Eze Okeke took back the kolanut he somehow expressed misgiving about Eze Ilomuanya’s approach to the kolanut issue, stating that the kolanuts collected by the Obi of Obinugwu were improper as it has not undergone normal process of prayer before collection.
Joining forces in the ego war and battle of supremacy is the Senator representing the Zone, Senator Hope Uzodimma who berated Ndi Eze Orlu and indeed monarchs in the state over the absurdities that have trailed the re-installment of Eze Ilomuanya after the Appeal Court verdict. The Senator challenged them on the Ilomuanya issue with a sum of N1m at the event.
In his reaction, a troubled Eze Ohiri expressed that he is not battling the position of Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers. While querying if “ana azo eze azo”? Meaning that “the monarch’s position is not in dispute” Eze Ohiri noted that the Amaifeke event is not for politics but a cultural show where politics should be eschewed. Eze Ohiri said that his position is a product of law and anybody willing to challenge him should challenge the law first.
