By okey alozie
It was theatre of absurdities yesterday at the Government House, Owerri as Governor Rochas Okorocha fulfilled his promise of giving 103 traditional rulers Sstaff of Office, to be officially recognized as the monarchs of their respective autonomous communities.
The raging protests which greeted the lists almost turned to a free-for-all at the new hall inside Government House when protesting persons took their grievances to the venue. Unfortunately, Okorocha too was at the receiving end but missed attack by whiskers as one of the disappointed persons dragging Ezeship of one of the communities moved to stop the governor but for quick intervention of security aides at the venue.
The supposed monarch (names withheld) who may have been pushed by instinct moved against the governor to stop him from giving the Staff of Office to his opponent.
The security agents at the place also resisted further moves by some aggrieved persons to challenge the presentation/inauguration ceremony. The man was bundled out of the premises out was later allowed to make official complain to the governor.
Another drama was recorded when Eze-elect Nicholas Nwahiri of Elekeowasi Obohia in Ahiazu Mbaise local government area of Imo state was stopped from receiving staff of office on the flour of the Hall.
Our reporter observed that his opponent, Prince Chukwuma Anyanwu complained bitterly against the name of Nwahiri to the state Governor Owelle Rocha Okorocha forcing his name to be de-listed among those to be given staff of office. Our reporter who monitored the event said the Eze-elect Nwahiri was not happy and some of his supporters felt bad and disappointed with the development.
The group were said to have been humiliated by the security agents while attempting to question the Governor’s decision.
In his address at the occasion the commissioner for Community Government Council (CGC) and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Val Mbamara stated that the success of the CGC depends on the behavior of the royal fathers adding that any monarch who refuses to carry everybody along in the affairs of his community will bring division.
He therefore warned that any traditional ruler who did not live up to the expectation will be dethroned without delay.
Chief Mbamara advised them to reciprocate the good gesture of the Governor by given him absolute support as well as complement his effort in bringing development in their various communities.
The Governor in his own speech directed all the new Ezes to propagate the CGC in their places and make sure that there is peace and unity.
He advised them not to do any thing that will ridicule their image and that of their communities.
Also he reminded them of the need to observe 12 noon prayer everyday in their palaces as well as supervise all the Rescue Mission projects in their various places. He hinted that any corrupt Eze will be removed from office.
Eze Imo, HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri who spoke on behalf of the entire Ezes in Imo state advised the new royal fathers to study their customs and traditions so that things will move well for them.
In addition, he reminded them of the need to identity with their LGA councils of Traditional Rulers and constitute the palace cabinet without delay.
“Ezeship crisis has ended in Imo state with the presentation of staff of office to the new Eze”. Eze Imo said.
Speaking further, he revealed that Traditional Rulers are like Governors in their own community.
He however mandated the new Ezes to focus on Agriculture and make sure that their various communities are result oriented.
Meanwhile, except extra security measures are taken to calm the nerves of aggrieved persons in several autonomous communities, continued protests and possible breakdown of law will soon envelope the state.
Signs that the state may be sitting on a keg of gun powder seeking to explode any moment following plethora of complaints arising from the release of lists of 103 Eze-Elect to be given staff of office, emerged at the Government House, yesterday venue of the event, as the place witnessed crowd of protesters kicking against the exercise and jubilant supporters of the new Eze-elects.
Most of the communities were in turmoil at the weekend when the news filtered in through the state-owned radio station, IBC, announcing names for yesterday’s event.
Protests trailed the announcements as thousands besieged Govt House to complain. Among the communities raising eyebrows are Umualunakam in Ehime Mbano, Elekonwaosi Obohia, Ahiazu Mbaise, Egbema in Ohaji/Egbema, Amazano in Njaba and Amakohia.
The people of Umualumakam who came in great numbers to Govt House protested against the name of John Paul Okoronkwo, claiming that their matter has been in court since last year and it was ultra-vires for the state government to recognize the said ruler. One of the Chiefs of the community named Callistus Chukwu said that Ezeship title is not rotatory.
Elekeonwasi Obohia in Ahiazu is also undergoing tempting moments following government decision to recognize another person Engr NN Nwahiri than Prince Anyanwu of the Obolobo Obohia dynasty. Their grouse is that the matter is still pending in court for judgment before government decision. Chief Chikwe Ibekalam Ajasa said the community will not accept such decision as it is in contrast with the interest of the public.
For the people of Amanator Ihite Owerri, Orlu LGA, the decision to issue Humphrey Mbvadiwe Mbah new staff of office is capable of destroying the peace, unity and progress of the autonomous community.
According to the President General of Amanator Ihite Owerri Development Union, the decision “will amount to grievous insult to our late Eze, (HRH Eze M.N. Okenwa Ama1) who is yet to be given his burial constitutional right.
“Be it known to the government that, the staff of office given/issued to our late Eze is still in his palace. Amanator Ihitte Owerri in her last general meeting resolved that after the presentation of Nze Jerome Ndubuise Asika”.
Abazu community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo state took the bull by its horn as people of the place came out en mass to make their grievances known to Government House Owerri people, last Saturday.
They condemned in strong terms the radio announcement in which one of their unpopular choice was mentioned as the person slated to receive staff of office (as Eze).
In their protest letter which was handed directly to the Governor after explaining things to him, they submitted through their leaders that Abazu people vehemently rejected Chief Oliver Njoku as Eze-elect and vowed that he cannot be their traditional ruler.
They further submitted that Chief Oliver Njoku was neither, as stated in their Ezeship constitution, nominated, screened, elected, installed nor presented by the community as Eze-elect of the community.
Similarly, Akwakuma people in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo state were reported to have also stormed Imo Government House on solidarity visit to Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The representatives of the community who were lucky enough to meet the Governor thanked him for having a listening ear.
The community leaders submitted that they are very happy that Charles Osuji was disqualified.
“We thank Owelle for failing to give Charles Osuji staff of office” Akwakuma people said.
Speaking further, they promised to be law abiding and give the governor and his team absolute support, unflinching and undivided loyalty.
Mr Patrick Egwunwoke (JP), leader of Akwakuma Autonomous Community in his speech to journalists submitted that the Governor has done great things for listening to communities with Ezeship wahala.
Amaohuru community in Aboh Mbaise LGA of Imo state also joined other aggrieved communities to protest against the staff of office proposed to Tony Anyanwu who they said claimed to be an Eze-elect
The aggrieved people of Amaohuru condemned in strong terms the activities of Tony Anayanwu and Chukwu Nwachukwu, who they accused of trying to allegedly use their positions to victimize the entire community for the purpose of getting the Ezeship tool.
Four Villages out of the five Villages in Amazano Autonomous Community in Njaba L.G.A. have called on the Executive Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha(OON) not to allow some of his officials in Government deceive him into imposing Mr. Ceasar Duruegbusuo on the Community for Mundane reasons. According to the chairman of the four communities, namely: Umuehiri, Umudim, Umuoka and Umudioch, “Mr. Duruegbusuo is not the popular choice of the people, but also not qualified by all criteria set up by the government for the nomination of Eze for any autonomous community.
“Mr. Duruegbuso has succeeded in deceiving the government using some of its officials through all sorts of inducements and gratifications”
The village chairmen insist that Mr. Duruegbusuo does not possess the basic qualification and character to occupy such position in the community, saying that he ran away when the judicial commission of enquiring into autonomous communities demanded for his documents. Tracing the history and journey of Amazano Community into autonomous status the chairmen averred that the Constitution of the community does not recognize anything as hereditary which he Ceasar is claiming ,even though neither his father or forefathers was Eze.
“Our last Eze died about 8 years ago and even Mr. Duruegbusuo’s father was one of those who endorsed the 1996 constitution of the community based on rotatory Ezeship that everyone knows about/’ they further stated.
“That is why we call on the governor to look critically on how this people ganged up to project the name of this man as against the wishes of the majority of the people in the autonomous community” they said.
“We want the governor to know that in spite of the story they (the officials) peddle and around regarding the Ezeship issue, we are committed to your rescue program of transformation and industrial growth of Imo State” they maintained.
The chairmen called on the governor to call the villages together and see who is telling the truth and who is the impostor.
They stressed that the government officials who are projecting Mr. Caesar’s name now, are the ones who frustrated the governor from hearing the Amazano case, when he met with some warring autonomous communities late last year.
