By victor madumere
The Imo State Government is yet to make an official statement concerning the recent sacking of the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri and the reinstatement of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya as the authentic Eze Imo.
It would be recalled that the Appeal Court presided over by Justice Florence Ekpe in a declarative judgment sacked Ohiri and ordered Ilomuanya’s reinstatement.
A week after the judgment, nothing has been heard from government angle while Governor Okorocha who was contradicted by the court order has not officially reacted. In his earlier reaction to the judgment, Eze Ohiri who spoke through his media aide, Gift Nwokoro said he was still studying the judgment with a view to determining the next line of action to follow.
Tension is however high among Ndieze on what would be the outcome of the recent return of Eze Ilomuanya who still acts as the Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers.
Even as the state government and Eze Ohiri are yet to go to Supreme Court or another court of competent jurisdiction for stay of Execution, tensions have continued to brew in the state among traditional rulers following the arrival of Obi of Obinugwu, Eze Ilomuanya.
Meanwhile, it was a carnival like event at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri over the weekend, where Ndieze, political bigwigs, friends and well wishers rolled out red carpet to welcome the reinstated Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze (Dr) Cletus I. Ilomuanya.
Speaking to Journalists at the reserved reception lodge of the airport, the Obi of Obinugwu said that the judgment is an act of God through the rule of law to rewrite wrong of mortals, and that he thanked the almighty God for unveiling truth and justice through the temple of justice. He also submitted that leadership position is not a do or die affair.
The South-East Traditional Rulers’ Council boss went further to state that he has forgiven everybody as a father in the spirit of sports-manship, for peace and development of the state. He maintained that Gov Rochas Okorocha is his Governor and there is need for them to work in harmony. In his words “I have forgiven everybody, the governor is my governor, I have respect for him, he is my brother. I assure you, we are going to work very well” he said.
Eze Ilomuanya also posited that, the council has always been one, and it will continue to be. He however revealed that most of the Ezes in the state have been calling and congratulating him over the victory, saying they are happy to have him back as their Chairman. This, he said shows that they will work in harmony for the interest of the state.
Some of the renowned Traditional Rulers who was at the Airport to welcome him include, HRH Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo from Umunri Anambra State, some Town Union President Generals, Orluzurumee members, and aides.
It will be recalled that the incumbent Imo State Governor, Rochas Anayo Okorocha in his maiden radio broadcast to Imo people dissolved the then constituted Imo Council of Traditional Rulers led by Eze C.I. Ilomuanya, who has statutory (5) years tenure. Eze Ilomuanya went to court to challenge the action stating that it contravenes lawful and constitutional provisions expected of the Governor.
However, Hon Justice Philomena Ekpe led panel of judges at the Appeal Court, on 5th of July 2013, overturned the earlier judgment of Justice Benjamin Njemanze at the lower court.
The Appeal Court went further to aver that the action of the governor is null and void, and reinstated Eze Ilomuanya as the authentic Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
