From: David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Crisis is brewing in Ihiala community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State over the selection of a Regent after the recent demise of the traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Highness, Dr C.I. Okechukwu, the Oluaoha 16th of Ihiala.
In a petition by Ihiala Progress Union signed by its President General, Barrister Jude Ngobili and the Secretary General, Chief Okey Chukwu, to seven Okparas who constitute Dioha Royal Family (the kingmakers in Ihiala community), the union rejected an alleged meeting called by one Ichie Emma Okechukwu, where a Regent was said to have been selected for the community.
According to the petition, copied to Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, the Divisional Police Officer in Ihiala, the Officer in Charge of Directorate of State Security (DSS), Ihiala and the Chairman, Ihiala Local Government Council, the union insisted that once the Oluaoha (the Igwe) had transited to the great beyond, the Secretary of the palace, Ichie Emmanuel Okechukwu, lacked the administrative or statutory competence to convene a meeting of the council to take a decision that would have a far reaching effect on the people of Ihiala.
The union said that the constitution and code of conduct of Oluaoha Ihiala made clear provisions on the procedure to be adopted during the interregnum (where the Oluaoha is no more) by Dioha Royal Family in selecting a Regent for Ihiala town.
Consequently, the union declared notice of the meeting of Oluaoha in council, the decisions taken or ratified at the meeting as null and void, of no effect and “incurably defective including the presentation and crowning of a Regent for Ihiala town.”
The union demanded from the Dioha Royal Family to select and present to Ihiala people through the town union a Regent that would command the respect and loyalty of Ihiala people, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and code of conduct of Oluaoha of Ihiala.
Meanwhile, in a separate resolution signed by Okpara Mbamesa Mbadinuju and Okpara Francis Emeordi for and on behalf of the kingmakers of Dioha Royal Family, the executive of Dioha Royal Family was said to have been dissolved because of the crisis. The kingmakers resolved that nobody had been selected as the Regent to the throne of Oluaoha of Ihiala community.
They also declared the meeting allegedly called by Ichie Emmanuel Okechukwu or Chief Ignatius Nwadinobi and the decisions or actions taken at that meeting as illegal, null and void and of no effect. They said anybody parading himself as the Regent of Ihiala was doing so at his own risk and was advised to stop causing confusion in the community.
The kingmakers noted that as Okparas of the Royal Family, as provided by the relevant sections of the law would soon after the expiration of the one month mourning period for their late Oluaoha (Igwe) meet and select a Regent for Ihiala who would be formally presented to the town union and all Ihiala people.
The Okparas presented a document containing over twenty signatories from various villages who were present at the meeting when they (the Okparas) took their resolutions.