Anambra elders urge Soludo to avert communal crises in Awkuzu

Titus Maduako Eleweke


Awkuzu Community elders in Oyi local government area of Anambra State have appealed to Governor Charles Soludo to wade into crises rocking the community to avert serious security breach.

The elders under the aegis of "Ojiani Ifite Awkuzu" who thronged the Government House, Awka in their numbers with placards with various inscriptions demanded the urgent need for government intervention to avert serious breach of law and order.

The elders who in their 100s submitted a protest letter to the governor and Department of State Services.

They carried placard with varying inscriptions "Igwe Charles Anikweze,Stop Interfering in Our Communal Land" "We Are Ojiani, Custodians of Land and Tradition of Awkuzu, Respect Our Land", "Igwe Charles Anikweze, Respect the Culture and Tradition of Awkuzu" among others.

They accused the traditional ruler of Awkuzu Community, Igwe Prof. Charles Anikweze of sacking members of cabinet, popularly called Ichie and trying to replace them with younger people against the tradition and constitution of the town.

One of the protestants Chief Peter Aniemena, 82, who spoke on behalf of the protesting elders alleged that Igwe Anikweze was making efforts to distabilise the community through his attempt to dethrone two titled men in his cabinet by unconstitutional means.

He said the move to dethrone the two lifetime titled men for their uprightness and defense for the right of the people and interest of the community will not be accepted.

Chief Aniemena said the elders of Ifite Awkuzu deemed the move by the traditional ruler as an attempt to aggravate the already heightened tension in the community.

He called on Soludo to take necessary steps and halt the enthronement ceremony of the two illegal Ichie scheduled for December 26 as the event may trigger a serious crisis in the community.

According to him, the Constitution and tradition of the Community provides that the two titled men remain Ichie till they die or the demise, dethronement or resignation of the traditional ruler was not an option.

"The two titled men, Ichie Ikechukwu Okafor and Ichie Nweke Oniezue of Isiorji village who are still alive, active and never tendered any resignation letter to anyone," he said.

The elders alleged that the move by the traditional ruler was not unconnected to a vast land at Egbegolu Ifite which the traditional ruler planned with few persons to allot to developers against the wish of the people and original beneficiaries

Also speaking, Chief Goodwin Igbanugo, a septuagenarian , called on the Commissioner of Police and other security operatives to consider the brewing crisis serious and take urgent steps to forestall breakdown of law and order.

Igbanugo said the traditional ruler could not handpick titled men which was the responsibility of the entire Community to nominate and select when necessary.

In a reaction, Mr Vincent Anyanechi, the Palace Secretary said he could not speak on behalf of the traditional ruler on the matter, noting that it was internal to the community.

Anyanechi however said that a committee was set up for event and that they were working ahead of the event according to norms.

When contacted, the Igwe Anikweze switched off his phone after journalists introduced themselves and the topic.