MY TAKE ON THE ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT CONDEMNED CHIEFTAINCY TITLE CONFERRED ON BIANCA ODUMEGWU-OJUKWU BY EZE UZU AWKA III, OBI AUSTINE NDIGWE.
1. First, I condemn unequivocally the recent public statement issued by the Anambra State Government through her Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Tony Nwabunwanne. The public statement did more damage to Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu who is currently an honorable minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the most prominent female member of the ruling party in Anambra State than any clarification it tried to address on who the rightful monarch of Awka is.
2. The public statement made reference to an incident that happened few years ago where the Governor, His Excellency, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, upon being invited for new yam celebration by Eze Uzu III, publicly scolded the monarch to stop parading himself as Eze Awka. I believe this recent public statement is in the same bad taste as the referenced act of the governor where he clearly behaved like a bad guest. The Governor’s presence at Eze Uzu’s house on that very day means Uzu Awka is an institution. If he was a nobody, the Governor would not have bothered to honor his invitation. Having honored it, His Excellency should have behaved respectably, rather than use the opportunity to scold his host or delve into a madness that was clearly his senior. The Governor had the better choice of ignoring Uzu Awka III invitation just like his commissioner should have allowed the sleeping dog to lie in this recent case of chieftaincy conferment on Bianca. But, our amiable Governor honored Eze Uzu, and yet, used the same event to wash his hands like Pilate after dignifying the Palace with his presence. One may wonder, what was the Governor doing inside a palace the state government does not want to recognize?
3. There is no iota of doubt that traditional institutions and power points in Awka fully recognized Obi Austine Ndigwe as their leader. If these traditional institutions are not solidly behind him, they will not be granting him access yearly to perform some traditional rites on behalf of Ndi Awka.
4. Clearly, some section of Ndi Awka have rejected Igwe Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II, who is the government recognized Igwe Awka. This rejection, I understand, came from their Igwe being perceived to be a stooge of the church. These hardcore traditional conservatives in Awka, felt, whomever will be Eze Uzu must be a loyal and dependable defender of the traditional power points and cultural practices of Awka. It is clear one cannot be a defender of Igbo tradition and at the same time be a defender of the Christian faith. At times, these two practices work at cross-purposes. It was on this premise these hardcore traditional conservatives rejected Igwe Gibson Nwosu as Eze Uzu and crowned Ozo Gidigbam Gidigbam, who was an avowed and unashamed lover of Awka tradition, as their Eze Uzu.
5. Therefore, the state government calling Obi Austine Ndigwe an impostor is obviously the government taking sides in a serious issue that requires her nimble and cautious intervention. Assuming, a Nigerian court has designated Obi Austine Ndigwe a fake traditional authority in Awka, then, the Anambra State government’s recent condemnation and claim that Obi Austine Ndigwe is an impostor would have the markings of fairness and justice.
6. What is happening in Awka calls for sober reflection on the way forward for the healthy advancement and preservation of the sanctity of our traditional institutions. It should make a serious socio-cultural scientist to ask, what’s the rightful way for a modern government to resolve cases where traditional custodians reject their traditional leader? Should the government support these custodians who are versed in the ancients rites and unwritten laws of their community or the government should just recognize anyone from the community as king whether the person meets or have deviated from the traditional standard of being a traditional clan head? If a people reject their king, king designate or a heir apparent, what’s the best way for the State Government to intervene in such matters?
7. I believe it’s time the state’s ministry of culture is headed by a body who are not just versed in traditional matters but are practitioners of Igbo culture. This body made up of respected Igbo Dibias and Academics will help the state government in taking the right decision whenever serious issues that borders on tradition and communal leadership arises. This constant support of anyone the government likes irrespective of the fact that the person is against the ancient ways of the community will bring nothing but disharmony.
8. Finally, our people should stop angling for certain traditional offices when they know fully well they find some aspects of such offices to be incompatible with their christian beliefs. Traditional offices should be left for those who believe in the ways of the Igbo Gods, Ndi Mbu na Ndi Egede. I repeat, traditional stools or offices should be left for those who have no qualms in following the ways of our Igbo ancestors.
Nze Tobe Osigwe (Ezeikolomuo)
Obi Eziokwu
Nkpoka, Nnewichi Nnewi
Eke Okwu.
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