As subjects call for their removal
Admin l Monday, August 17, 2020
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – Kinsmen of Anambra State governor Mr Willie Obiano are disowning their traditional rulers for joining oil mogul, Prince Arthur Eze to Abuja on a visit to see the president, Muhammad Buhari, without the approval of the state government.
Obiano’s town, Aguleri, made up of five communities on Monday staged a peaceful protest against their two monarchs on the trip, HRM Alex Edozieuno of Mkpunando and HRM Peter Ikegbunem Udoji of Eziagulu communities who joined the trip.
They called on the state governor to revoke their certificates for disgraceful conduct. Recalled Obiano had early last week suspended 12 traditional rulers including Igwe Edozieunoh and Igwe Udoji, out of the 13 who joined Arthur Eze on the trip to Abuja.
The 13th monarch, Igwe Peter Uyanwa of Ukwulu had earlier been suspended by the governor over crisis in his community.
Alor community, whose monarch, Igwe Mac-Anthony Elibe Okonkwo was among the suspended monarchs had earlier been disowned by the community, with a call on Governor Obiano to revoke his certificate, despite having tendered apologies for embarking on the trip.
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Aguleri indigenes who met at Obu Gad, the town square to protest against the conduct of Igwe Edozieunoh and Igwe Udoji, said that their disgraceful conduct can no longer be tolerated.
Elders of the community who spoke through, Ichie Aruno Odefi called on the Anambra State governor, Chief Obiano to remove the two monarchs, saying that their conduct in the town has not only been disgraceful, but negates the love the town has for Obiano who is also a son of the soil.
“They cannot continue to be monarchs. Aguleri town has five communities, but this very two Igwes have not represented us well. The height of it is joining other traditional rulers to Abuja to go and report our son, Obiano to Mr President.
“We have had enough and will no longer take it. If Obiano does not want to remove them, then let them become traditional rulers at the government house, and not for Aguleri communities,” he said.
The Presidents General of the five communities in Aguleri who also spoke through Barr Hippo Onwuegbuke condemned the two monarchs for joining 11 others in a trip that is meant to tarnish the image of a son of the soil (Obiano)
He said even if they apologised as some other traditional rulers have started doing, the people will not accept their apologies because they are already fed up with their disgraceful conduct.
“Look at this crowd that trooped out to protest against them. What will you tell them that will appease them? The best thing is for the monarchs to toe the line of honour and resign their kingship. The people are already calling on Obiano to remove them as you can see.”
Attempt by our correspondent to reach Edozieuno and Udoji was not successful as security men standing guard at their respective palaces said they had no instruction to let any visitor in.