Traditional Ruler Controversy Rocks Abia State as Indigenes Demand Recognition of Eze-elect
A controversy has erupted in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State as some indigenes of Obohia Ndoki stormed the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Umuahia, demanding recognition of Monday George as their traditional ruler.
The indigenes, who arrived at the ministry in protest, bearing placards, alleged that the Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, and some senior officials of his ministry are favouring another interested party, Ugochukwu Ndubuisi, for the royal stool.
According to the protesters, Monday George, who hails from Umuokoraja, is their Eze-elect but has been shut out by the Commissioner and his officials in preference for Ugochukwu Ndubuisi from Umuokorota.
The protesters, led by Blessing Dike and George Mashal, claimed that some youths, allegedly sponsored by enemies of peace, destroyed the palace of the immediate past traditional ruler of Obohia Ndoki, the late Eze Hyacinth Okere Dike, and took away his sacred staff office.
To avoid a crisis, the Obohia Ndoki indigenes have cautioned the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and some indigenes of the community against imposing a wrong candidate on them.
In a separate development, the son of the immediate past Eze, Prince Ihueze Dike, was arrested by security officials attached to the Ministry for allegedly using abusive words on the Commissioner and for disturbing the peace of the office. He was later released from the Central Police Station in Umuahia.
Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, however, denied supporting any of the factions, stating that the process for the selection of a new Obohia Ndoki traditional ruler has not been compromised by his ministry.
Nwachukwu added that the first son of the former traditional ruler, Ihueze Dike, has been fomenting trouble. He promised that due process would be followed for a new king to emerge.
The protesters have appealed to Governor Alex Otti to intervene in the matter and call the Commissioner and his other officials to order.
This controversy is a testament to the deep-seated cultural and traditional tensions in the region, and it remains to be seen how it will be resolved.
