From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Government has presented Staff of Office to the newly selected Eze Aro IX, HRM Eberechukwu Oji, thereby bringing to an end the fratricidal Ezeship tussle in the ancient kingdom.
The state government had earlier dethroned Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu Okereke of Ibom Isii in Arochukwu Kingdom over his alleged role in the kinship tussle.
Presenting the staff of office at the headquarters of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the commissioner in charge of the Ministry, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu charged the Eze Aro to ensure peace, unity, law and order among his people and to rule with the fear of God.
The commissioner reiterated that government had no hands in the selection process of the new Eze Aro but only followed the constitution in respect of the autonomous communities in the state.
“I want to encourage the people of Aro. They have shown resilience. It’s been a long process of selecting and presenting their Eze. Initially there were issues and there were factions but then, a panel of inquiry was set up by the government, and they gave their recommendations upon which the government issued a White Paper, and based on the White Paper, they were asked to go and do the right thing which they have done and then the government has also put a seal of approval on that which the people did.
“I also want to reiterate for the umpteen time, the government had no hands in the process of selection of Eze Aro, but what the government has always insisted on is that the people (should) follow the processes as documented in the constitution that we have here with us. That guides the autonomous communities, and they have done that and His Excellency has given his seal of approval to that which the people have done.”
The commissioner congratulated the Eze Aro and Arochukwu people on the feat they achieved.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Florence Chigbu, and the Director, Chieftaincy Affairs Department, Mr Chuka Agomuo, explained that the Aro people did not only followed the tradition, but also passed through due process in selecting their new Eze.
Responding after receiving his staff of office, the new Eze Aro, Eze Eberechukwu Oji thanked the governor for his tireless effort at resolving the Ezeship tussle in Arochukwu, adding that the event marked a turning point in Arochukwu kingdom.
He stated that he would run a peaceful, inclusive and righteous government, adding that “this is the dawn of a new era in Arochukwu.
“I remember with nostalgia the excellence in leadership that my grandfather, Mazi Kanu Oji used to run the kingdom and I am trusting God that with His help, we will follow in his footsteps and run a kingdom that is peaceful, a kingdom that is prosperous, a kingdom that is inclusive, a kingdom that unleashes the talent of everyone that belongs to Arochukwu kingdom both young and old.
“It is my desire that we live in unity and we will maintain absolute balance in everything we will do in the kingdom; Arochukwu will become a model of what traditional Igbo leadership represents,” the new king added.