Advises Okorocha to revert to the old order
Traditional Rulers in Imo State have kicked against the election of a new chairman of, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers in January 2018 meant to succeed, HRH Eze Sam Agunwa Ohiri. Speaking to the press when contacted, some prominent (names withheld) said if Owelle Okorocha can reason and come down to good counsel of the Ezes, the election of Eze Ohiri successor is not a welcome development for the traditional institution in Imo State now as the election is to ridicule the traditional institution and bring Imo State Council of Traditional institution in bad light because Ezes are neither politicians nor civil servants.
The Monarchs said the situation whereby Ezes will be compelled to campaign, lobby, canvass for votes with money and paint their colleagues in bad light in order to excel, is alien to Igbo Custom and tradition. They stated that the former arrangement of appointing the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers by the Governor remains better and should be sustained especially where the Chairmanship position rotates among the three zones in the State. On a 4 year tenure basis for equity, justice and fairness as it reduces bitterness, acrimony and ill-feelings since the election will portray the Traditional institution in a very bad light.
As it is, the Ezes maintained that going ahead with the planned election, they are being forced into doing what they should not be allowed to do under normal circumstances because they are not politicians. The Ezes appealed to Owelle Okorocha to have a second thought on this election and cancel it out rightly for the Traditional Institution in Imo State to maintain its dignity and respect. The Ezes queried “ how many times do we read from the News papers how the Chairmanship position of State Chairmen of Traditional Rulers in other State are canvassed and politicized like what obtains in Imo State presently? Let us for now save the traditional Institution of Imo State from the impending damage before it is too late.”
The royal fathers disclosed that if Eze Samuel Ohiri has served Owelle Okorocha well, he should give him a second tenure than subjecting the traditional rulers of Imo State to this rigorous and painful exercise where the highest bidder takes it all. “Let Owelle Okorocha exercise his authority by going to Okigwe zone with respect to his prerogative on who is to succeeded Owerri zone after Eze Ohiri instead of politicizing the Traditional Institution and subjecting the Traditional Rulers to ridicule if only wise counsel can prevail, “the Ezes maintained.
The monarchs added that after late Eze Akanu Ibiam left for Abia State, late Eze OnuegU Woke chosen by the then Governor as chairman while Eze Godwin Oru from Okigwe Zone succeeded him before HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya from Orlu zone took over from him and Eze Samuel Ohiri from Owerri zone succeeded Eze Ilomuanya.
The Eze reiterated that instead of subjecting them to an embarrassing election rogour and if Eze Ohiri has served him meritoriously, Owelle Okorocha has the power to retain Eze Ohiri for a second tenure or take the chairmanship seat to Okigwe Zone whose turn it is now in the spirit of justice, equity and fairness.
