By Kamsi Anayo
There is a looming crisis in Awkuzu community, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra state with the emergence of two traditional rulers in the community.
The community on Monday installed Chief Chibuike Okafor as its traditional ruler even though the state government had issued certificate of recognition to Prof. Charles Anikweze for the same stool.
The community has been embroiled crisis over the traditional stool since 2005 after the death of its former traditional ruler,, Igwe John Nnebolisa.
Prof. Anikweze, who already had a certificate of recognition alongside 47 others from the former Governor Willie Obiano-led administration on May 2, 2019, described Monday’s installation of Chief Okafor as another traditional ruler as an act of illegality.
“What they did was purely illegal. The case is still pending in court. I am still the Igwe Nnamenyi of Awkuzu, while Chief Okafor is an impostor.
“I still retain the certificate of recognition by government which gave me the power of Igwe, if somebody comes up as an impostor, he is on his own.
“They are trying to woo some crisis, but we wait and see.
“No need to preempt what the community will do, but certainly those who are real Awkuzu elites will say something,” Anikweze said.
As it is Akwuzu is a community with two kings all set to rule the jolted town.
Crowning Okafor as the authentic monarch and Ezeaganama 111 of the community, the Okpala (first son) of Awkuzu, Chief Nweke Ozoemena Mgbike, aged 97, said that igweship stool runs in the family of Aganama and not rotational.
“Whoever that is the king of Awkuzu must be crowned here by me as the Okpala Awkuzu and receive (offor) the staff of office from me. Now that Okafor has been crowned today as the Ezeaganama 111 of Awkuzu, anybody that is against this crowning will be fought by the spirits and gods of the land.
” From today, being Nkwo market day, he will be addressed as Igwe of Awkuzu because he has been crowned. Igweship in Awkuzu is not rotational, it is inherited, always in Aganama family,” Okpala Awkuzu stated.
Contributing, three representatives of the three quarters in Awkuzu, (Ezi) represented by Aganama, Ifite-Ezeudene and Ikenga-Ezeodiwe, expressed satisfaction with the crowning.
In his reaction, the Traditional Prime Minister, (Onowu), Chief Tochukwu Mgbako, said that it was now that the community has its God-given monarch who went through the normal process to be crowned.
“It is in the family of Aganama that any Igwe must emerge and then be crowned by the Okpala Awkuzu who is aged 97. The last Igwe we had was Igwe John Nnebolisa, who joined his ancestors in 2005,” he said
Also speaking, Chief Emmanuel Obiemeka Oramulu, Onoselueze, said that, “Government gives certificate but community enthrones a monarch in line with the tradition and culture of the people”.
Earlier, the Owelle of Awkuzu, Hon. Peter Emenaka, stated that, peace has been restored with the crowning of Okafor as the monarch after about 18 years of Igweship crises.
Also, a popular traditional doctor, Chief Oguejiofor Okafor Ezedibia, stated that any monarch must be crowned by the Okpala Awkuzu and follow tradition in piloting the affairs of the community.
In their speeches, Hon. Dr Anthony Jiendu, former Oyi Council Area Chairman, High Chief Jude Anieka and others expressed optimism that with the installation, the community will experience massive infrastructural development.
Also, Ezeudene , Chief Okoye Agbata, said that igweship was not rotational but inherited in Aganama family.
In his response, the newly crowned monarch thanked the people for finding him worthy, saying whoever that “wants good thing, good thing will follow him.”
“With my crowning as the monarch and Ezeaganama 111 of Awkuzu, peace which eluded the people for over 18 years has been restored. It is thanks to God for the love He has for us all these years.
“Now that I have been crowned as the monarch, by the Okpala Awkuzu, Awkuzu has gotten a traditional ruler ordained by God to pilot the affairs of the people,” he said.
