Intrigues, politics of Awka leadership tussle

OKEY CHRIS reports that politics of Awka leadership lingers due to the alleged roles of the Anambra state Governor, Willie Obiano, who shunned appeals to back-off from the tussle

The leadership tussle in Awka, the capital of Anambra State which led to dethronement of Obi Gibson Nwosu, as Traditional Ruler, and Engr Tony Okechukwu, as President General, has finally created two opposing groups in the community where one is paying allegiance to the sacked monarch, and the order, insisted that both remain removed, and urged Governor Willie Obiano to withdraw his certificate of recognition pending when they are ready to present him with a new king.

The opposition groups, Awka Council of Kingmakers and Ozo Awka, in a recent release jointly signed by their Secretary Generals, Ozo Barr. E. C. G. Okechukwu ( JP), and Ozo Dr. Aneze Chinwuba, the embattled Nwosu “Was irrecoverably dethroned on 14th April, 2017, as the traditional ruler of Awka in accordance with the tenets of the constitution and code of conduct which he had stubbornly and continuously violated since his installation in spite of his previous sanctions by the community.”

They also described the reactions from Anambra State government published on some national dailies (not Blueprint) as regards the sacked Gibson Nwosu, as dishonorable for a responsible Government, arguing that, “It is utterly surprising that Obiano’s government has incongruously been collaborating with few misguide, self-seeking and corrupt individuals within Awka community to create unwarranted crisis- firstly with the Town Union Administration with a view to having unchecked restriction in confiscating and selling the community land heritage and lately with the dethronement of Gibson Nwabueze Nwosu as Obi Eze Uzu11 .

“However, they cannot succeed to destroy the citadel of peace in Awka, which has reigned from time immemorial. Awka must survive and outlive your administration. Awka community wishes to remind the Anambra state government that our people are law abiding and peaceful. Moreover, that the country is currently in democratic dispensation, and for that reason, the state government must uphold the Rule of Law and allow democracy to flourish.”
The Awka Council of Kingmakers and Ozo Awka further directed the state government to stop according recognitions and entitlements duly meant for the community on the Igwe and PG, even as they stressed that they would definitely demand for them back at an appropriate time as it contravenes the norms of judicial and equitable distribution of ANSG resources to the people of the state.
“Your Excellency, people of Awka followed Awka and Anambra State Traditional Ruler and Town Union laws in removing Engr. Tony Okechukwu and Gibson Nwosu.

While the government alleges to side Mr. Tony Okechukwu, because he is on appeal, even though without order of stay of execution in the judgment delivered, what law does the State Government rely on in ordering Gibson Nwosu, to remain as Awka Traditional Ruler against the decision of Awka people that mistakenly crowned him?
“It is disputable fact that he who appoints, removes. State Governors, to the best of our knowledge, do not appoint Traditional Rulers, but they rather recognize them by issuing relevant certificates. They also recognize their removal by withdrawing the certificates issued. We have exercised our inalienable right to appoint a new Eze Uzu Awka and your government will be advised accordingly in due course of the details of the person.

“As far as we are concerned, Awka people had since 21st October, 2016, elected a new ADUN Nigeria, President General in the person of Chief Amobi Nwokafor, together with other officers as directed by the Law Court and they are fully functioning for the community .The State Government was infirmed accordingly. That development is not negotiable or reversible.

“We have noted with concern your order to the security agencies to crush Awka people if they go against the unjust wishes of your administration. However, we wish to inform you that, Awka people can never be bullied or intimidated in exercising their fundamental right of choice in the selection of their leaders. The just struggle for freedom must continue in Awka and other areas of Anambra State facing the same instability created by your administration.”
However, another group of Awka people loyal to the embattled monarch and President General at a joint assembly meeting, Izu Awka General Assembly, held at Umuoramma Village square, Awka threw their weight behind the removed monarch and traditional ruler, and warned other group they described as impostors and troublemakers against disrupting the peace in the town and state.

Izu Awka Assembly in a resolution they said, were binding on every Awka citizen, affirmed that “Obi Gibson Nwosu and Engr. Tony Okechukwu were the authentic and recognized traditional ruler and president general of the community respectively. That the community still recognised the late Anagor Eke as the Otochal-Awka until another was chosen and also that it was the duty of the ADUN to nominate a new Otochal.”
Okechukwu, who read the resolutions, added that they have resolved that the day to day administrative functions of Awka town was the prerogative of ADUN and not of the Ozo group, and that there was nothing like a regent in Awka, hence there gathering to put an end to purported rumour of dethronement and parallel ADUN’s leadership.

In his speech, the traditional ruler of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu, thanked his subjects for rallying round him and also for attending the meeting in their numbers, and enjoined them to always hold in high esteem, Awka cultures, traditions and values.
Among those at the event were the traditional prime minister of Awka Kingdom, Chief Benjamin C. Okoye; the oldest Ozo title holder, Ozo James Eze (Ozo Ivfe); Ozo Okey Obuorah (Secretary, Ozo Agulu-Awka Society); Ozo Chief Dr. Emmanuel Chukwudi Muodozie (Ozo Change) and Prof. A.U Nnonyelu

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