From Nwimo Chukwudike, Awka
Apprehension and uncertainty pervade some communities of Anambra State following the recent threat by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to sack any traditional rulers without due certification of government. This came on the heels of the clampdown on Obi Austin Ndigwe, a claimant to the stool of Awka, the state capital.
Already, the High Court is handling a case that may see to the dethronement of 48 traditional rulers as government allegedly issued them certificates of recognition from 2014 to 2022 without following due process.
Daily Sun learnt of an interlocutory injunction seeking the stoppage and recovery of salaries, as well as other entitlements of the monarchs to enable the plaintiff, Prince Chinedu Tagbo, perfect procedures in filing and appearance of the defendants.
Tagbo, who sued for himself and on behalf of the people of the state, brought the matter before Justice Obiora Ikeogu of the State High Court, Awka, before a Vacation Judge, Alexius Okuma, heard it against the governor, Attorney General and the 48 monarchs.
The plaintiff in suit No. A/149/2022, prayed Justice Okuma to order the stoppage and recovery of salaries and other benefits accruable to the monarchs, pending determination of the substantive suit.
“In the originating summon, dated April 26, 2022, the plaintiff prayed the court to derecognise the 48 monarchs and recover whatever benefits accrued to them in addition to awarding him N100 million as exemplary damages.
The plaintiff sought for interpretation of a provision of the extant law and to determine the issue of whether the executive arm of government can issue 3rd to 5th respondents Certificate of Recognition from 2014 to 2020 without obtaining approval of the State House of Assembly as provided in section 4(j) of the law.
He also prayed the court to determine if the recognition can stand in the light of the governor’s alleged failure to publish the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Certificated Gazette No. 1, Vol. 31 (2015 to December 31, 2022) dated January 28, 2022, listing the 48 monarchs before it can issue them certificates of recognition as traditional rulers as provided in section 8 and 9(i) of the law.
Meanwhile, the royal rumble in Awka took a twist on Saturday, September 10, 2022, as agents of government disrupted the Iri Ji festival of Ndigwe, urging him to desist from parading himself as traditional ruler.
The traditional stool of Awka has been contentious for a few years now, after a group in the community on April 14, 2017, claimed to have dethroned the monarch, Eze Uzu II, Obi Gibson Nwosu.
The purported dethronement, according to the kingmakers, was necessitated by Nwosu’s alleged violation of the community’s amended constitution of 1986 and other cultural laws. The action, the group said, was carried out in liaison with the Ndichie Awka.
In his place, they crowned Ndigwe, also known as Uzu Awka, causing a huge entire division in the community. While some indigenes supported Ndigwe, others backed Nwosu. The tussle polarised the Awka Development Union, Nigeria (ADUN).
Even the Ozo title holders, were split into Ozo Awka and Ozo Five, each with its chairman and executives, with two different councils of kingmakers. Since the crisis erupted, the two rival traditional rulers had held their separate events in the town amidst fears and tensions.
Residents linked rise in cult killings in the community to the existence of two parallel leadership. They perceived lack of political will to tame the factionalised youths, who engaged in killing and bloodletting without restraint.
Ndigwe had concluded arrangements to hold his Otite Awka (Iri Ji Ofuu) festival when a team of policemen, allegedly under the directive of government, stormed the area and dispersed dignitaries who besieged the place for the traditional event. Government through Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, barred Ndigwe from parading himself as the traditional ruler of Awka.
He warned that any further attempt to usurp the rights of the legitimate and duly recognised ruler would attract sanctions.
Government also directed Chief Emeka Anagor to stop parading himself as the president general of the community.
A recipe for further crisis emerged barely 24hours after the government’s announcement. Ndigwe threw open his gate to welcome guests to his Otite Awka New Yam Festival, the same event government stopped the previous day.
Ndigwe allegedly boasted: “I will fight with the last pint of my blood to make Awka town recognised by any government and not be intimidated by it.” He likened the stool to that of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, who, he alleged, rules his domain without a certificate of recognition and intimidation by government.
However, Secretary, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Pius Omachodu of Orumbanasa, commended government for enforcing the extant Chieftaincy Law: “A monarch should be recognised by the government of the state and such must bear a certificate of recognition before parading himself or being recognised as Obi, Eze or Igwe.”
Also, president, Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Chief Titus Akpudo, said: “Awka is a very big city and capital for that matter that other communities suppose to emulate. Wallowing in such conflict has not protected the image of the town and the state.
“I expect them to obey that directive because allowing such conflict to continue will cause problems and insecurity within the capital city.”
Awka Development Union, Nigeria (ADUN), also lauded the governor for ensuring that rule of law was entrenched in the state, particularly in Awka and for upholding the culture and tradition of the town.