Elders from Governor Willie Obiano’s Aguleri community in the Anambra East Local Government Area on Monday demanded the sacking of two traditional rulers in the area for joining other monarchs in the state to an Abuja trip without government approval.
The protesters, including custodians of the customs and tradition, women and youths, blocked the Otuocha Roundabout, causing gridlock on the the Onitsha/Otuocha highway for hours.
They stated that the suspension of the monarchs by the state government was not enough punishment in the circumstance.
Billionaire oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, had last week led no fewer than 12 monarchs from the state to Abuja to see the President, General Muhammadu Buhari(retd),an action considered by the state government as an affront.
As a consequence, the 12 monarchs were suspended from office for not getting approval from government for the travel as required by the state rules and protocol.
The protesters asked for the removal from office of Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Ukpunangbo and Igwe Udoji Iloegbune of Eziagulu Otu from the Aguleri clan, who joined in the Abuja trip.
They accused the two royal fathers of committing sacrilege by joining outsider to undermine a government headed by their son, Obiano.
Spokesperson for the protesters, Chidi Onwuegbune, said their decision to embark on the protest was to let the world know that the traditional rulers went on the trip without the consent of the people in their domains.
He said, “Our people were taken aback at the unbecoming conduct of the two Igwes, namely Igwe Alex Edozieuno of Ukpunando and Igwe Udoji Iloegbune.
“They sneaked to Abuja with Prince Arthur Eze without telling our people and the state government. Although they have already been suspended by the state’s Traditional Rulers Council and government, we know that the whole world is watching to see what our position on the matter is.
“We want to inform the state government that we are not part of the action they took. We absolutely condemn their action which had portrayed our community in bad light, especially as the governor is our son.
“We are, therefore, urging the state government to remove them as traditional rulers of their communities because they have put shame on us and we cannot forgive them even if they apologize. They committed atrocities which are unpardonable.
“Our people have said they will not forgive them because it is a sacrilege for an Aguleri man to embark on such a solidarity against his fellow Aguleri man. Although they have been suspended for one year, our people are saying that the suspension is not enough.”
He added, “After the Abuja trip, custodians of Aguleri culture and tradition invited them to appear at the Aguleri ancestral shrine to defend themselves, they ignored the call.”
The elders have vowed that the two suspended monarchs will not return to the thrones.
