By Praise Chinecherem
SouthEast zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Ohanaeze Ndigbo to wade into the suspension and arrest of traditional rulers in both Anambra and Abia States.
The call followed suspension of traditional ruler of Neni Community, HRH Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani by the Soludo administration and arrest of the favourite for Arochukwu traditional stool in Abia State, Godwin Kanu Idei, over false allegations of impersonation.
Ezeani had, during the Yuletide conferred a chieftaincy title on the Senator representing Anambra South and member of the APC, Sen Ifeanyi Ubah.
The group described the actions of Abia and Anambra state governments as attempt to make Igbo crowns and stools an appendage of the APGA led government of Anambra state and the LP lead government in Abia state, respectively.
In a statement by its Zonal Chairman, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, the group said it had waded into the matter in the two separate localities, condemning the acts and describing them as an aberrational affront against Igbo traditional institutions.
It called on the pan Igbo group, Ohanaeze NdiIgbo, prominent Igbos all over the country as well as Nigerians to rise up and condemn such acts as they undermined the tradition of Ndigbo.
The statement reads in part, “We received with shock the recent suspension of an esteemed traditional ruler, HRH Damian Onwuamaeze Ezeani, the Igwe of Neni Community. At first we thought there was some untruth in the story until its confirmation.
“This came coupled with the arrest and illegal detention of the acclaimed Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kindgom, Godwin Kanu Idei for impersonation even though Idei had been rightfully crowned as the Eze Aro by the traditional ruler of Ibom Isii, Eze Nwa Kanu.
“It is indeed sad and is deserving of full condemnation such an aberrational affront against Igbo traditional institutions which we should cherish and nurture, rather than drag into the mud.
“What is Igwe Neni’s offence? That he conferred a title on a Senator of APC extraction? Is he the first to have done so? Or is it merely politics, otherwise can we not see this as a move to make the prestigious crowns and stools in Anambra State as an appendage of the APGA led administration?
“What are the offences of the Eze Ibom Isii or Eze Idei that the Abia State Government under Alex Otti has to suspend the former and arrest the latter when they were just carrying out their duties as custodians of our tradition? It is obvious that Otti is trying to impose the other person, one Pastor Eberechukwu Oji who is unpopular with Ndi Arochukwu on the people.
“We thus call on Igbos all over the world, and the leadership of the Pan Igbo organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other Igbo groups likewise well meaning Nigerians to call the administrations of Chukwuma Soludo and Alex Otti to order.
“Will a Yoruba governor treat a first class traditional ruler in such manner or Fulani leader? The Eze Aro remains about the oldest traditional stool in Igbo land. It is highly revered and should not be desecrated by the governor in his political mix-up.
“The Aro kingdoms far predates the coming of the white man and colonial era. It’s not an autonomous community, created by any government.”
