MEMBERS of Aguleri community have called for the removal of the suspended Traditional rulers of Eziagulu-Otu and Mkpunando communities, Alex Edozieuno and Ikegbunam Udoji respectively.
Apart from members of the affected communities, other communities in Aguleri trooped out in solidarity including the elderly, youths and children to carry out a protest for the removal of the traditional rulers.
The demonstration, which happened simultaneously at Mkpunando and Enugwu-Otu Aguleri, gathered steam from Aguleri junction which resulted in traffic gridlock.
They carried placards with various inscriptions such as “We want Igwe Edozieuno and Igwe Udoji removed”, “Igwe Eziaguluotu must be removed now,” “Edozieuno and Udoji are no more Igwe”, “Aguleri youth want the certificates of recognition given to Igwe Eziaguluotu and Igwe Mkpunando revoked immediately,” among others.
Chief Chidi Onwuegbune, who spoke for the protesters said, “Our people were taken aback by the unbecoming conduct of the two Igwes, namely Igwe Alex Edozieuno and Igwe Udoji Iloegbune.
“We want to inform the state government that we are not part of the action they took.
“We absolutely condemn their action, which has portrayed our community in a bad light, especially as the Governor is our son.”
In his reaction, Chief Aronu Udevi who is an elder and member of ‘Oji Ana Ndi Ichie Aguleri’ stressed that based on the misconduct of the traditionalrulers, they are no longer wanted by their communities.
From there, the demonstrators took to Obu Gad to consult “Ndi Oji Ana Aguleri” who threw their weight behind the demonstrators and stripped the two suspended traditional rulers of all their traditional titles.
While calling on the government to remove the suspended Traditional rulers out rightly, the President General of Aguleri, Chief Hippo Onwuegbuke, pointed out that the government of the day is doing well, stressing that they committed a sacrilege, and reassured of their support to the government.
The Presidents-General of Eziagulu-Otu, Mkpunando and Enugwu-Otu, Chief Anthony Onwuetiaka, Chief Johnson Mbanefo and Chief Benjamin Onyenweife, called on the government to do the right thing by withdrawing their certificates of recognition permently because according to them, they desecrated the traditional institution by their actions.
Reacting to the development, the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu reiterated government stand on the matter.
It would be recalled that billionaire oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, had led 12 monarchs from the state to Abuja to see President Muhammadu Buhari, an action considered by the state government as an affront.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
