By Martin Opara
Sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Ebonyi and Anambra states for the All Progressives Party campaign in Anambra state, for the November 18th governorship election and the visible absence of the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Ofalla Achebe all through the President’s stay in the state, a member of the Igwe’s cabinet has revealed why the royal father did not meet with the President.
Contrary to insinuations, a member of the Igwe’s cabinet said, the revered traditional ruler, expected the visiting President to pay him a courtesy visit in his palace as custom and tradition demand.
According to Obi’s ranking cabinet member who said, “Please note that the royal father did not refuse to meet with President Buhari. He only requested that the President meets him in his palace. I don’t know why a son of the soil will encourage the desecration of his own royal stool because of politics. When Buhari visits Sokoto, he does not send for the Sultan of Sokoto to come and see him, he goes to see him in his palace. When he goes to Osun, he does not send for the Ooni of Ife, but goes to meet him in his palace and pay homage. You don’t go to England and expect the Queen to come and see you. It amounts to a desecration of our cherished custom and tradition to expect the Obi of Onitsha to come out, just like that, instead of being paid homage in his palace.”
It will be recalled that President. Muhammadu Buhari, was in Ebonyi state recently to commission some projects on the invitation of Governor Umahi and also in Anambra state to add pep to the APC governorship campaign for the forthcoming election in the state.
