…Austin Ndigwe not recognized traditional ruler of Awka, Anambra Govt
It was a dramatic session on Saturday as Police sealed off the palace of the factional monarch of Awka community, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Uzu III, Chief Austin Ndigwe.
Ndigwe was billed to hold the celebration of new yam festival in Awka Kingdom with some prominent individuals set to grace the occasion
News Echo gathered that Chief Ndigwe had sent out invitation too politicians, monarch, journalists and other special guest from across the country to witness the new yam festival, but the event as at the time of filing this report was stalled.
Invitation sent out had read: You’re invited to the OTITE AWKA 2022 (Iri Ji Ofuu) festival of Awka Ancient Kingdom by the Obi of Awka Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, Ozo Dr Austin Ndigwe.
“Date is Saturday 10th September 2022, by 11am, at the Palace of the monarch.”
Sources said some monarchs from across South East were already at the palace at about 11am, when a huge detachment of police and military men arrived and sealed the palace, almost shutting in the invited monarchs.
According to our source who did not want his name in print said “The police men and military chased everyone out of the palace, shooting canisters of teargas at youths who had attended the event.
“There was pandemonium when they started shooting, and a lot of people ran away, while many youths sustained injuries.”
A policeman who stopped this reporter from accessing the venue said they were acting on orders from above.
When journalists reached out to the spokesperson of Anambra State Police command, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, he said he was not aware of any order to seal off the palace of the factional monarch.
The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Chris Aburime said he is not also aware of any order in that regard.
Meanwhile, the embattled monarch, when interviewed on phone, said he was in a meeting and can not speak.
The traditional stool of Awka Kingdom has been a source of tussle for a few years now, after some influential members of the community claimed to have dethroned the monarch, Eze Uzu II, Igwe Gibson Nwosu.
In his place, they crowned, Ndigwe, who immediately assumed the position of the monarch of the kingdom, causing the entire kingdom to be divided. While some members of the community supported Ndigwe as their monarch, others supported Nwosu.
Coincidentally, both Ndigwe and Nwosu had slated Saturday for their new yam festival. It was gathered that Nwosu is the government recognised monarch, and holds a certificate of recognition, which Ndigwe does not.
Meanwhile, Anambra State Government has reiterated that the only recognized Traditional Ruler of Awka community in Awka South Local Government Area of the state is His Royal Highness, Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II of Awka.
The State Government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu in Awka on Saturday observed that the clarification became necessary as one Augustine Chukwuezugo Ndigwe alias Uzu Awka was still parading himself as the authentic traditional ruler of Awka.
The statement noted that not only did Ndigwe parade himself as the traditional ruler of Awka, he was 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.
While insisting that the action by Ndigwe was threatening the peace and tranquility of the town, it added that the State Government would not tolerate the act.
It explained that Obi Gibson whose recognition by the State Government had not been withdrawn was 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 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.
“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 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.
“They 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 hesitate to sanction the impostor according to the relevant laws of Anambra State”, the statement warned.
