Serious tension has started to emerge since the issuance of the certificate of recognition, a few days ago to Chief Johnmark Anyaoha, as the new traditional ruler of Ogbunka community in Orumba South local government area, Anambra State, by Governor Willie Obiano, as the majority of the people are said to have rejected the action of the state governor and are planning for a showdown.
The people, especially the elders and youths, informed Tribune Online that they preferred one Dr Forster Ezenwa Ihejiofor who is said to have been contributing massively to the infrastructural development of the community.
In his bid to show that his hands were clean, was never a party or collaborated with some government officials in the issuance of the certificate of recognition by the state governor, Willie Obiano, to the new monarch as alleged against him, the president-general of the Ogbunka Development Union, Evangelist Josiah Okoli, last Sunday, called a meeting of the community which was held at the Civic Centre.
In the meeting, Okoli said he was not even informed by Chief Anyaoha that Governor Obiano called him (Anyaoha) for the issuance of the certificate of recognition.
He urged the people, especially the youths, not to panic or riot over the development, adding that all would be amicably settled.
On his part, the youth chairman of Awuka village, who spoke on behalf of all the youths, Chinedu Okoli, warned that “the Monarch should not parade himself as our monarch; he should stay in his kindred and be their Igwe and not that of Ogbunka. The Igwe we know is Dr Forster Ezenwa Iheoha.”
Also reacting, Promise Okeke Akwaja, stated that “the issuance of the certificate to Chief Anyaoha is total madness and whoever that was involved in the issuance of the certificate that is from this community will suffer for what he did.”
“Our President-General was not invited to witness the issuance of the certificate. It is a slight on the community. 98 per cent of us reject the certificate; Dr Forster is our Igwe.”
According to Chief Ikechukwu Onwudiwe, Obiano hates us. We gave him the highest votes during the gubernatorial election and he promised to tar the Ogbunka/Nawfija road for us but never did.”
“What he did to compensate us was to impose an unpopular candidate on us leaving our choice, Dr Forster government has, by its action, set this community back.”
Also, Chief Ernest Onyeakalusi, said that “we are disappointed in the state government for imposing on us an unpopular person who nobody wanted him to be his monarch, government by this action has set us back.”
Bishop Emmanuel Okeke advised that the new Igwe should be sanctioned by the community as means of rejecting the certificate issued to him while the community staff (offor) bearer whose duty is to crown (cap) the monarch, Chief Felix Ike, vowed never to crown (cap) him.
Contacted, Dr Forster urged for calm adding that, “I hope everything will later turn around. I hope in God and if not for the plea to the youths they would have gone on mayhem. It is very difficult for the community to accept the issuance of the certificate to Johnmark Anyaoha, I wish I had in him somebody who is willing to serve, a servant leader, I would have allowed him.
“Unfortunately, I don’t have that in this person. The people in government found him worthy, contrary to the wish of the majority of the people of Ogbunka. His enthronement will put the people under bondage, government has to reverse its action,” he advised.
Nigerian Tribune
