From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Ebem Ohafia community in Ohafia local government area of Abia State has denied the dethronement of her Paramount Ruler, Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha from office.
Ukoha is also the Ezieogo of Ebem Ohafia.
In a statement by the representatives of Ezieogo Ebem Ohafia in Council, the Ebem Ohafia kingmakers and other prominent bodies in the community said they were reacting to a radio announcement by a body called Umueziaba who claimed to have dethroned the traditional ruler.
The community urged all sons and daughters of Ebem to ignore the announcement, stating that Ezie Ukoha is the Ezieogo of Ebem Ohafia and has not been removed by any person or group of persons.
“The radio announcement of the purported dethronement of Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha as Ezieogo of Ebem Ohafia is illegal, not supported by Ebem Ohafia customs and traditions with respect to the Eziogo Ebem stool and the mere wishful thinking of the persons who do not know or appreciate the customs and traditions of Ebem Ohafia Community.
“The stool of Ezieogo Ebem is neither appointive nor elective in nature, the occupant of the stool holds the office for life and no other person can occupy the stool during the lifetime of any reigning Ezieogo.
“Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha is not guilty of the fabricated, baseless and unfounded allegations levelled against him in the radio announcements. We hereby reiterate and pledge our implicit and unalloyed support for the reign of Ezie Ukoha Kalu as the Ezieogo of Ebem Ohafia”, the statement added.
The community while urging Abians to ignore the purported removal of the Paramount Ruler said there was an inbuilt customary conflict resolution mechanism in the community which every aggrieved person is expected to explore if there is any issue with the institutions of governance in Ebem Ohafia and not indulging in acts capable of creating crisis.