From Isaac Ojo
The Awka Council of Kingmakers (Ndi Ichie), has unequivocally condemned and rejected in its entirety the report of the Panel of Inquiry established by Gov Charles Soludo, concerning the traditional stool of Eze Uzu Awka.
In press statement signed by Chief Chuks Nweke Assistant Secretary,
Awka Council of Kingmakers (Ndi Ichie), the body based their rejection on the fact that the matter of the Awka Kingship (Eze Uzu) is currently pending before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The kingmakers said that the panel of inquiry has no authority to usurp, preempt, or interfere with the judicial process. Any attempt to do so constitutes a gross overreach and disregard for the rule of law.
They also flawed the composition of the panel chaired by a Knight of the Church, accompanied by a Reverend Father and other religious leaders, rather than qualified members of traditional institutions.
“The bone of contention in the Awka Kingship tussle centers on efforts to Christianize traditional practices, which directly contravenes the established norms, customs, and cultural integrity of the Awka Kingship institution. Such attempts are unacceptable and alien to our ancestral heritage.
“It is implausible and unacceptable that the panel could have reached credible conclusions on this complex and sensitive issue within a mere 9–18 days, the panel failed to invite or visit principal stakeholders of Awka Kingdom for comprehensive consultations, rendering its process superficial and incomplete.” The kingmakers said.
They also condemned the inclusion of non indigenes of Awka in membership of the panel which they claimed lacked the requisite standing, cultural insight, and authority to speak for or act on behalf of Ndi Awka in matters of their traditional stool.
The kingmakers who viewed the exercise as a charade, asked Gov Soludo, to prioritize pressing issues of governance and development in Anambra State, and to allow the issue of the Awka Traditional Kingship to be determined solely by the court of competent jurisdiction.
Recall that Awka community has been polarized into two over loyalty to HRH Igwe Austin Ndigwe and HRH Igwe Gibson Nwosu on who is the austenitic traditional ruler of the town for a long time.
