The Idigo Royal Dynasty of Governor Willie Obiano’s country home, Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State, has dissociated itself from a publicised Ovala festival celebration scheduled for today, Saturday, January 4, 2019.
The announcement for the Ovala festival was signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, James Eze.
In a statement signed by Crown Prince, Sir Fidelis Idigo (Okpala Idigo), and Sir Ema. O Chiatula (KSJI), Chairman, Iruokechi family, the royal dynasty stressed that an Ovala festival cannot be held barely one year after the passing of the last monarch.
It added that the propriety of giving certificate of recognition to someone who is not the family’s choice as Igwe, is still a matter before the State High Court for determination.
Recall that a member of the Idigo dynasty, Michael Idigo was in March 2019 crowned as the traditional ruler of the community and was issued a certificate of recognition by Governor Obiano in controversial circumstances following the burial of the last monarch of the community.
It was gathered that Michael Idigo’s quick recognition by the State Government as the traditional ruler of Aguleri was done to prevent the right person from ascending the throne because he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while the former is of the ruling All Progresso he Grand Alliance (APGA).
But the Idigo Royal Family has refused to allow the twist stand, saying that even though he is a member of the royal family, it was not his turn to ascend the kingship of the community.
The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to the announcement signed by one Mr James Eze, Press Secretary to the Governor of Anambra State, about a purported Ovala festival Celebration in Aguleri, planned for the 4th of January 2020.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored such an announcement as anyone is free to hold a carnival and call it Ovala in Aguleri, but for the mention of Idigo Royal Dynasty, being involved.
“We want the general public to note that: The Idigo Royal Dynasty and the extended Iruokechi Royal Family are not part of the so called Ovala festival.
“That traditionally, it is not up to one year the last Igwe joined our ancestors. An Ovala ceremony therefore cannot be held so soon.
“The Press Secretary to the Governor is not a member of the Royal Family nor an indigene of Aguleri so has no business announcing the Ovala festival for the Idigo Royal Dynasty.
“Ama Igwe which they claim as their venue, is a private property and our approval for the use of the same was neither sought nor given, so the action is a deliberate attempt to provoke and trespass.
“We have it on good authority that they wish to repeat what they did in March 2019, when they forcefully collected the remains of the late Igwe from the Mortuary at Enugu, invaded and locked down the Palace and Palace grounds with security operatives, to conduct the burial for him, preventing the Royal family from taking part.
“We would like to state however that ‘Mmadu aburo Chukwu’ (No man is God), every government has an end and that the impunity being perpetrated on the Idigo Royal Dynasty will not last forever.”
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