Phil Okose, Onitsha
Indigenes of Nawfia community, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra state, weekend blamed former governor Willie Obiano over the Igweship crisis rocking the community.
They demanded an apology, saying former governor should make an atonement for purportedly removing Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo (Osuofia 11) and appointing Dan Obelle as Monarch.
They explained that Igwe Nwankwo ought not be a victim of personality clash between a philantropist, Chief Arthor Eze and Obiano adding that Igwe Chijioke never contravened any of the traditional rulers’ laws.
Blaming Obiano during the 2026 newyam festival of Igwe Nwankwo, held in his palace, a senior citizen who retired from security outfit, Chief Raphael Oguguamakwa Onyema, lamented that the action of Obiano has dragged the community backwards as peace has eluded the community.
His words, “What Obiano did in Nawfia is an abomination, he caused this crisis, that Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo went to Abuja without his consent, why did he go without his knowledge. Is this enough reason to remove a sitting monarch? Today where is Obiano.
“Traditional institution is suppose to be respected in Nigeria. Federal and state governments should respect traditional institutions. They are the custodians of our tradition and culture. Even the military does not joke with the traditional rulers’.
“You forgot that you are a governor and that it is just four years for you in office and eight years if you succeed for second tenure. Obiano just destroyed traditional institution, it is very bad. I am begging our amiable Governor Chukwuma Soludo to look into this matter and support Igwe Nwankwo,” he pleaded.
Earlier in his speech, Pastor Daniel Onyema, also an indigene, said, “We are not happy because a lot of people have destroyed the throne of Nawfia community. Without peace there will be no progress.
“We have been having prayer sessions to ward off this crisis and I believe the peace which has eluded the community will be restored,” he assured.
He recalled that his father crowned Igwe FFBC Nwankwo (Osuofia 1), father of incumbent Igwe Chijioke who has been on the throne for 25 years now.
“My father crowned Igwe FFBC Nwankwo, (Osuofia 1), father of Igwe Chijioke (Osuofia 11). There is no traditional ruler in Nawfia without my father. So we know the Genesis of Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo. They should allow God to finish His work. We know that today Chijioke Nwankwo is our manarch, it is not disputable.
“It was a compromise, the entire Nawfia people came out and resolved that Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, should be crowned Igwe Nawfia and I know God will keep him for us,” he prayed.
Speaking while cutting the new yam, Igwe Nwankwo urged all to come together and join him in moving the community foward, stating that, “If we live in harmony we have peace.”
“Even the strongest man can not survive if there is no peace. The more you fight the more it escalates. Tension has been very high and I deliberately want it to come down,” he pleaded.
Highpoints on the occasion was paying of homage to the monarch by indigenes, in-laws, friends and well wishers including parade of masquerades that added colour to the festival.
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