•••Reads Riot Act To Troublemakers
By John Ugo, Awka
The Anambra’ State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has affirmed that HIs Royal Highness Igwe Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu 11 of Awka as the authentic traditional ruler of Awka Kingdom.
He warned that , “It is a criminal offence for any other person to do so by virtue of section 20 of the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State 2007.”
He said Igwe Gibson Nwosu is recognized by the traditional rulers law in Anambra state.
Soludo made the clarification in a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, and made available to newsmen in Awka, the state capital.
He faulted the action of Mr. Augustine Chukwuezugo Ndigwe (a.k.a Uzu Awka) whom he noted is still parading himself as the authentic traditional of Awka and also taking steps to perform one of the major harvest season’s traditional rites, the New Yam festival.
Soludo pointed out that by the action of Mr. Ndigwe, he is threatening the peace and tranquility of the town, stressing that the State Government would not tolerate it.
He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the State Government wishes to state emphatically that the only recognized Traditional Ruler of Awka is His Royal Highness, Igwe Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II of Awka whose recognition by the State Government has not been withdrawn and he is the only one empowered by section 15 of the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State 2007 to preside over such festivals or carry out any of the functions of a traditional ruler in Awka.”
“It has come to the attention of Anambra State Government that one Augustin Chukwuezugo Ndigwe alias Uzu Awka is still parading himself as the authentic traditional ruler of Awka. Not only that, he is also taking steps to perform one of the major harvest season’s traditional rites known as New Yam Festival or “Iwa ji” of the Awka people, thereby threatening the peace and tranquility of the town. The State Government will not tolerate this.
“The said Augustin Ndigwe is not the recognized Traditional ruler of Awka and should henceforth desist from parading and portraying himself as the Traditional Ruler of Awka or attempting to usurp the rights of the legitimate and duly recognized Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe Obi Gibson Nwosu.
“Any such unlawful act in any part of Anambra State would not be condoned by the Anambra State Government and the State will not hesistate to sanction the impostor according to the relevant laws of Anambra State.”