By Adadareporters
The people of Edeaniagu Clan in Ishi-Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, Wednesday, rejected the reinstatement of the suspended traditional ruler of Ishi-Ozalla Community, Igwe Sylvanus Okeke. They claimed that what led to his suspension ab initio had not been resolved.
Addressing a press conference in Enugu, the people of the community said the suspension meted to Igwe Okeke was a result of the pronouncement of ostracization upon the seven villages of Edeaniagu, as well as the exclusion of their people from the community’s town union executive and Igweship positions, among others.
The president general of the clan, Chief Uchenna Nweke, said the crisis in the community degenerated beyond reconciliation, and called on the Enugu State government to create Edeaniagu autonomous community as a panacea for the lingering imbroglio. It was gathered that the clan had earlier submitted a request for the creation of the autonomous community.
The president general said, “The issue is not about reinstating the suspended Igwe or not. Ishi-Ozalla is currently divided into two. The Edeaniagu people have their own leader in the person of His Majesty, Chief Don Sylvester Chinedu Nweke, Ishi I of Ishi-Ozalla, even before Igwe Okeke was coronated. You cannot ostracize such population in a community, bar them from participating in any community election and expect them to still follow you.
“Since you said you don’t want them, allow them to go. You suspend someone with reasons and when you reinstate him, what about those reasons for his suspension? Were they met? That is funny. That is why I said that it would bring more crises and divisions than peace.”
Also speaking, the secretary general of the clan, Chief Chris Uzochukwu, expressed surprise that the state commissioner for rural development, local government and chieftaincy affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, made such pronouncement without looking at any reconciliatory machinery put in place by the past administration. He said the act was “far from democracy”.
Chief Uzochukwu said the community had been in a serious crisis since the imposition of Igwe Okeke as the traditional ruler, noting that “peace is not in sight in the face of injustice against the people of Edeaniagu”.
The youth leader of the clan, Mr Odira Chukwu Nweke, told journalists that few individuals from the community had been “feeding fat from the crisis” and appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to intervene and ensure justice.
He said the people of Edeaniagu voted massively for Governor Mbah during the 2023 general elections despite that the APGA governorship candidate in the same election is from the community. He appealed to the governor to save them from being oppressed in their own land, which he said was against humanity. The people commended the development strides of the governor across the state, pledging their continued support to his administration.
Recall that Igwe Sylvanus Amachiunam Okeke was suspended by the last administration in 2022. The commissioner, Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey A Ogbodo, had stated that his reinstatement took effect from 31st March, 2024. He also urged the traditional father to discharge his responsibilities with dedication and in line with the vision of Governor Mbah.
Igwe Okeke, in response, claimed that he was innocent of the allegations leading to his suspension, and thanked the governor for finding him worthy to serve again.
