Enugu Community Boils Over Ezeship
Tension is rising and violence could break out in Ishi Ozalla Community in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State unless the state government intervenes decisively.
The looming crises is over the selection or election of a new Igwe to replace Igwe Frank Nweke who joined his ancestor in 2012.
Recently, one of the contenders, to the throne, Don Sylvester Nweke was endorsed to contestt for the stool by his family and some prominent people from his own clan of Edeani-Agu. He was conferred with a chieftaincy title as a gesture of their endorsement.
However, the move has been interpreted by stakeholders from other clans of Ishi Ozalla who now accuse him and many other communities of undermining the selection process by seeking to crown himself as the new Igwe of Ishi Ozalla
As a punishment, his entire Edeani-Agu clan has been declared an Ohu clan, (slaves), have now been ostracized. Their sons, daughters, wives and husbands are no longer allowed into community markets, churches, schools and other collective social events.
A prominent daughter of Edeani-Agu, Chief Eberechukwu Okoye says the people of Amaechi, Ningbo, Ndiagu, Amaeke and Ndiugwu have all been roped together with Edeani-Agu and ostracized as well, an indication that the whole plot is to deny some sections of Ishi Ozalla the opportunity of contesting for the position of Traditional Ruler.
Pastor Luke Eze, From Edeani-Agu told signature TV that his mother who attended the Ishi Ozalla Women’s meeting was chased out of the Meeting after she was made to pay a fine for coming late.
Former President General of Edeani-Agu community, Christian Ugochukwu expressed worry that the unprogressive culture of pronouncing anybody as ohu and making such person an outcast is rearing its ugly head even after the state governor Ifeanyi Ugeuanyi intervened and sued for calm.
Meanwhile, people from Edeani-Agu protested in Enugu on Thursday to demand that the state government intervenes to restore peace and order and prevent any conflict that is likely to arise from the continued ostracism of Edeani-Agu people.
