•Factions at loggerheads over Dec 26 coronation
From Magnus Eze, Enugu and Ogbonnaya Ndukwe, Aba
There is trouble in Arochukwu Kingdom of Abia State over the ascendency to the throne of Eze Aro. The kingdom is sharply divided by interests, leading to the emergence of two prominent sons of the area as Eze Aro. Governor Alex Otti is an eminent son of Arochukwu.
Prince Godwin Kanu Idei Kanu Okoro Oke Nnachi of the Kanu Okoro Oke Ruling House was recently crowned by the Eze Ibom Isii as Eze Aro the ninth to occupy the throne of his fathers, vacated a few years ago by Eze Vincent Ogbonna Okoro.
Oke Nnachi kindred responsible for presenting a new Eze took him to the Eze Ibom Isii, Eze Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu, the only one in the kingdom said to be traditionally empowered to cap and crown the Eze Aro. After interviews and approval, the Eze Ibom Isii reportedly took Idei to the shrine and crowned him with the ancient cap amid traditional rites, including seven-gun salute.
It was also reported that another set of kingmakers from the Oke Nnachi kindred, had on October 19, 2023, announced the selection of Prince Eberechukwu Orji, a petroleum engineer and pastor grandson of former prominent Eze Kanu Orji, as the Eze-Aro designate.
Each of the claimants to the throne insists that he is the authentic Eze Aro, having been reportedly selected by the Oke Nnachi, the traditionally acclaimed kingmakers.
Daily Sun learnt that the role played by the Eze Ibom Isii, Eze Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu, in crowning Idei and other related matters elicited the wrath of the state government as he was immediately suspended for what was termed “flagrant flouting of the provisions of the state’s traditional rulers’ code of conduct.”
Government accused the suspended traditional ruler of engaging in acts that were not in conformity with the Traditional Rulers and Autonomous Communities Law, through the abuse of office and disregard of government’s official directive. In a letter conveying the suspension to the embattled ruler, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, said a disciplinary committee has been set up to investigate the Eze Ibom Isii’s activities and actions and advise it on the next steps to be taken against him.
The letter, with reference: MLGCA/CH/S.5/S.4/151, dated October 25, 2023, endorsed by the commissioner, was titled: “Suspension from office as Traditional Ruler, Eze Dr Kanu Nwa Kanu, Ibomb Isii, Arochukwu Kingdom.”
Current happenings regarding the throne of Arochukwu have created confusion and broken known norms in Ezeship selection in the kingdom. Daily Sun gathered that the two factions stuck to their guns while waiting for the outcome of government investigation.
It could not be confirmed at the weekend whether the two groups were going on with their arrangements for the formal coronation of the new Eze Aro, scheduled for December 26, at Oro Square, Arochukwu.
One of the claimants to the stool, Eberechukwu Orji, said his reign “will see a rebuilding of abandoned legacies for which the ancient kingdom is known.” He named such areas to include the reintroduction of tourism sites, maintenance of peace to provide conducive environment that will attract visitors and investments.
In response to fears of conflict between his position as a modern, youthful pastor and ancient traditional cultures of Aro, he promised to manage the affairs of the people and those that would do business with them well while preserving those good legacies bequeathed to his generation from their forefathers.
The Eze Aro designate in a virtual interaction with some journalists, said he will halt the trend in which people of the present age see culture as archaic, outdated and therefore of no value anymore: “I have had experiences working with people of different cultures, who despite their embrace of western education still practice their known cultures.
“When I served in India, I was in Bangalore, the people are in touch with developments in the world. Yet, they practice their known cultures with which they are identified.
“This is what I plan to do in Arochukwu kingdom, spread all over the geopolitical zones in the country. We will work towards restoring the legacies that made Aro, a foremost kingdom in Igbo land, Nigeria and Africa.
“We are also seeking a way to position the Aro kingdom like that of Bini (Benin), where every subject no matter how big or influential, respects the leadership of the Oba. We can replicate it here in Arochukwu and all parts of our kingdom, spread in various locations.”
Orji warned those allegedly fanning embers of discord in the succession to the throne, that the law would catch up with them, should they continue in their efforts to destabilise his coronation slated for December 26, 2023, in Arochukwu.
Notwithstanding, a highly placed Aro son with influence who wished not to be named, lamented the turn of events but expressed the hope that everything would be resolved by the second week of December:
“What we are doing is our age-long tradition. It’s not dictated by politics of political party. Eze Aro is Eze Aro worldwide, so, he is our Eze. We are happy that government has set up an investigation committee, so, have patience. We’re sure that the whole thing will be clear by the second week of December. We don’t want to influence what they are doing.”