ORAUKWU—The tussle for the traditional stool of Oraukwu community
has taken a turn for the worse as two monarchs have emerged in spite of
issuance of Certificate of Recognition to one of the contestants, Dr. Emeka
Onuorah by the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
Last week Wednesday, the supporters of one of the contestants, Pius
Ezedigbo Okoye marched to Government House, Awka to protest what they described
as selection of Onuorah as the traditional ruler of the community.
Barely 24
hours (Thursday), after the peaceful protest, the state Governor issued a
certificate of recognition to Onuorah in his private residence at Oraukwu.
In a
meeting with his supporters in his Ezennaja country home on weekend (Saturday),
Okoye and his group insisted that in spite of what the Governor had done, Okoye
remained the elected traditional ruler of the community, having scored 535
votes against 15 votes scored by Onuorah in an election conducted by the
Community Caretaker Committee empowered by the 1986 constitution of the
community to conduct the election.
But in a swift reaction, Onuorah while
addressing newsmen on the issue said there was no election as claimed by Okoye
and his group, saying that in a situation where there was one candidate, the
candidate according to the custom and tradition of the community undergoes
screening and thereafter ,he will be presented to the Reagent in Council and if
he qualifies, he emerges as Igwe as was his case.
“The Igweship in Oraukwu is
rotatory and this is the first time we are talking about election for Igwe in
this community. We have had five traditional rulers without election. “It is
not true that I came last in an election. I never participated in it.
I was not
involved in any election.
Okechukwu that had 20 votes was not involved in any
election. It is the Reagent in Council that has the power to conduct the
Igweship election. I was not informed of any election neither was Okechukwu
informed and that was why we wrote petitions to the state government.” He added
that the purported election was no election as even the Chairman and the
Secretary of the committee set up by Secretary to the state government were not
present at the said election.
Onuorah said a Reconciliation Committee that will
have members from the three villages in the community had been set up to
reconcile all aggrieved persons to ensure the development of the community.
The
Okoye group resolved to contest their matter in a law court, saying that the
Governor’s action was illegal because he did not consult the Caretaker
Committee before installing Igwe Obiorah. “What the Governor has done amount to
insult to the community. It is not good and we shall go to court to seek
redress.
Follow Solenzo Blog on
0 Comments