By: Chibundu Obizuo, IHFGG
RE: GROUP’S CALL FOR DISSOLUTION OF IMO STATE COUNCIL OF NDI-EZE, PREPOSTEROUS, RIDICULOUS AND LAUGHABLE – IHFGG
Our attention has been drawn to the publication of The Eastern Lead Express Newspaper, page 2 of March 13, 2024, where a group under the aegis of Advocate for Good Governance, and under the leadership of one Surv. High Chief Peters Nwokeocha, called for immediate dissolution of Imo State Council of Traditional rulers, led by His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. E. C. Okeke, the traditional ruler of AMaifeke Ancient Kingdom and the Eze Imo.
According to the group, the call on His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma, Onwa Oyoko, to quickly dissolve the council was first in the light of the reign of dissolution, where the author compared the composition of the council with the political tenure of appointment such that the governor was urged to wield the big axe to dissolve and reconstitute the council, not recognising that the institution of Ndi- Eze is revered and does not have to be treated as a political creation. The group fails to realise that His Excellency Dist. Sen. Hope Uzodimma is a man who respects culture, tradition and institutional autonomy.
Imo Hope for Good Governance (IHFGG) is miffed with this denigration of the revered institution of Ndi-Eze Imo State, by Surv. Peters Nwokeocha and his group, Advocate for Good governance. An ordinary person who has no locus in the institutional structure of Ndi-Eze and how their leadership is composed has no locus in the composition of the leadership of Ndi-Eze, except he is fronting for some unscrupulous elements. For emphasis, the council only has certificated traditional rulers of the autonomous communities in Imo State as members and critical stakeholders and not a free-lancer who has no locus. Surv. High Chief Peters Nwokeocha lacks identity in Ndi-Eze configuration.
Relying on the locus concept, the group reference to this inglorious call, has no place and cannot refer to enabling law establishing the council of Ndi-Eze. And significantly, the law establishing Imo State Council of Traditional rulers prescribes clearly the process of succession and composition of the leadership of Ndi-Eze Imo, not to be guessed by a freelance surveyor. We make bold to say that Ndi-Eze Imo know how their institution is composed and how succession is achieved within the governance of the revered traditional institution, not to be strayed into by a passer-bye, a freelancer and a loafer. As such, Surv. Nwokeocha is not a traditional ruler, and the association he claims to represent has no locus in the revered traditional institution and therefore poses a distraction to the decorum within the revered council of Ndi-Eze.
However, in as much as we would have treated his poorly scripted missive as rantings that are misguided, it is important to put records straight for the unsuspecting public. IHFGG is therefore not joining issues with Surv. Nwokeocha but will like to clarify a few things for Imo citizens and the general public:
- The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma and the entire people of Imo State know that one who shoots someone a bullet should never be permitted to perform surgery to bring out the bullet pellets because the initial intention is never clean. The intention of Surv. Peters and his group is suspicious., to say the least. When Sen. Hope Uzodimma came into power, reclaimed his mandate through the courts, he faced indescribable fanning of embers of insecurity by faceless elements, which almost made the state ungovernable. But his tenacity of purpose and resolve to restore normalcy to the land led him to choosing dedicated people who share in his leadership ideology to work with. Significantly, His Majesty, Eze Dr E. C. Okeke emerged as Eze Imo. His reign as Eze-Imo led to the downgrading of the hostility and that was achieved through coordinated and pragmatic leadership approach through effective collaboration of traditional institution and the government. The governor is aware of the various threats and debilitating tirades the leadership faced but succeeded in weathering the storm. An attempt by an unknown group to pretend to advise the government is either that their nefarious intention was scuttled or that they want to reap when normalcy has been restored, but His Excellency is smarter than such innuendos coming from non-stakeholders of the institution of Ndi-Eze in Imo State.
- In their bid to garnish their missive, they attempted to use decoy to paint unfounded narrative of non-performance by the council of traditional rulers. This is blatant intent to mislead the people. It is significant that under the reign of Eze Dr Okeke, the three zonal chairmen, and the Heads of traditional councils of the 27 LGAs, Ndi-Eze in Imo State have received uncommon attention from the government. First, the institution and approval of monthly seating allowance of Ndi-Eze, the distribution of brand-new cars to Ndi-Eze, starting with Eze Imo through the zonal chairmen and the Local Government Heads of Council of Traditional Rulers, Ndi Eze Imo are now treated as it should be. They now stand shoulder high among Ndi-Eze in Nigeria. It is under the reign of Eze Okeke that Ndi-Ugoeze are now being paid monthly allowance. This is significant as it adds to the comfort of the royal families and reduces their economic pressure. Eze Dr E. C. Okeke has led the resolution of various boundary disputes inherited from previous administrations, this is a sign of a man who understands the place of culture in peaceful settlement of lingering matters. In the same light, Eze Dr Okeke leads and others follow. During the 2022 alleged blasphemy that led to the killing of Deborah in Sokoto State tertiary institution, it was Eze Dr Okeke who led a high-powered delegation from the East to interact with the Sultan of Sokoto and the leadership of the Northern Nigeria, to avert crisis. That delegation led to important resolutions that stemmed the rising tension and brought compensation to Ndi-Igbo whose wares were destroyed. In the light of the incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, it was Eze Dr E.C. Okeke who hosted South East traditional rulers to raise a position paper sent to the presidency, seeking for release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and peaceful resolution of the impasse.
- It is pertinent that under the reign of His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr Okeke, there is peace and harmony among traditional rulers and the engagement protocol of the various autonomous communities goes seamlessly. He has shown that when a man who has capacity ascends the throne, great things happen. No doubt, the ill-wind that blew across the Eastern region and particularly Imo State in form of escalated insecurity, only needed a fearless leader to hold the ace, and that is what he has done. There are so many achievements recorded under the watch of Eze Dr E. C. Okeke and his team and it demonstrates team work and effective collaboration with the government. Therefore, being critical pilot and stakeholder in the 3-R government, the governor is not oblivious of their performance record and how it impacts the shared prosperity administration positively. Unknown organisations such as Advocates for Good Governance should desist from encroaching in territories they lack intricate jurisdiction to pontificate. Ndi-Eze know how their internal process of succession should be done and know when to activate relevant buttons. Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers is not meant to be dissolved as cabinet is done but follows respectful process of honour and reverence.
Imo Hope for Good Governance commends Eze Imo, His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr E. C. Okeke, and his team for doing so well and urges the governor to continue to support the traditional institution for more effective performance, thereby ensuring return of peace and socioeconomic viability across the over 655 autonomous communities of Imo State. Unknown formations should not smuggle confusion from the back door, Imo is moving better. Ndi-Eze must be accorded the respect they deserve.
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IHGG Media
