Elders of Awkuzu community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State have appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to wade into brewing leadership crisis capable of causing security breach in the area.
The elders under the umbrella of “Ojiani Ifite Awkuzu” who stormed Government House, Awka in their numbers with placards with various inscriptions submitted a protest letter to the governor and Department of State Services.
Some of the placards read, “Igwe Charles Anikweze, Stop Interfering in Our Communal Land” “We Are Ojiani, Custodians of Land and Tradition of Awkuzu, Respect Our Land”, “Igwe Charles Anikweze, Respect the Culture and Tradition of Awkuzu” among others.
They accused the traditional ruler, Igwe Prof. Charles Anikweze of sacking members of cabinet, popularly called Ichie with attempt to replace them with youth against the town’s tradition and constitution.
An 82-year old man, Chief Peter Aniemena who spoke on behalf of the protesting elders alleged that Igwe Anikweze was making efforts to distabilise the community through his attempt to dethrone two titled men in his cabinet by unconstitutional means.
He claimed the move to dethrone the two lifetime titled men was for their uprightness and defense for the right of the people and interest of the community.
“The elders of Ifite Awkuzu deem the move by the traditional ruler as an attempt to aggravate the already heightened tension in the community,” he said.
The octogenarian called on Soludo to urgently halt the enthronement ceremony of the two illegal Ichie scheduled for December 26 as the event might trigger serious crisis in the community.
According to him, the Constitution and tradition of the Community provides that the two titled men remain Ichie till the death, dethronement or resignation of the traditional ruler.
“The two titled men, Ichie Ikechukwu Okafor and Ichie Nweke Oniezue of Isiorji village are still alive, active and never tendered any resignation letter to anyone.
“The move by the traditional ruler is not unconnected to a vast land at Egbegolu Ifite which the traditional ruler planned with few persons to allot to developers against the wish of the people and original beneficiaries,” he said.
Also speaking, a septuagenarian, Chief Goodwin Igbanugo called on Commissioner of Police and other security operatives to consider the looming crisis and take urgent steps to forestall breakdown of law and order.
He said the traditional ruler could not handpick titled men, which he said was the responsibility of the entire community to nominate and select when necessary.
Reacting, Palace Secretary, Vin Anyanechi said he could not speak on behalf of the traditional ruler on the matter, noting that it was internal to the community.
He however said a committee was set up for the December 26 event, adding that they were working ahead of the event according to norms.
When contacted on phone, Igwe Anikweze after exchanging pleasantries with our reporter, suddenly switched off his phone immediately the matter on contention was introduced.
