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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Verbal war between the Imo State Council of Traditional rulers and the chief priest of Owerri, Reginald Ejiogu, was rekindled, yesterday, with the royal fathers banning him from attending government functions.
Deputy Chairman of the state council of traditional rulers, Akujuobi Osuagwu, described comment made earlier by the chief priest that no monarch should bless kolanut in any function before him in Owerri municipal as disrespectful. He reminded Ejiogu that his place remains the shrine.
“He does not have any right to bless kolanut in any government function where royal fathers are, let alone the state council of traditional rulers, he should not come out in any government function again, let him stay in his shrine.
“He can bless kolanut in his community, not before us, he should stop embarrassing traditional rulers in the state. We’re custodian of the culture of our people, it does not show any respect both to us and our staff of office. He can bless kolanut in his community, he should not come out to embarrass the royal fathers in the state,” Osuagwu said.
But Ejiogu described his ban as laughable.
“They don’t have the right to ban me. This is my territory. They know that what I’m saying is true. They’re only trying to cover up. Ban and asking me to remain in my shrine is laughable, they should be the one to remain in their kingdom and see to the affairs of their communities instead of looking for kolanut to bless. You can ask any Igbo elder; that’s the tradition,” he said.
