–
The controversy surrounding the whereabout and health conditions of the Traditional Ruler of Obi Mbieri Autonomous Community in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State has continued unabated as the President General of the community Mr Patrick Emeruem yesterday, confirmed that he and other stakeholders who should be in constant communication with the Monarch have neither seen nor heard from him in the past three years.
The President General who stated this in a telephone conversation with this reporter, expressed dismay that the situation has degenerated to a point where some people in the community are now taking advantage of the traditional ruler’s questionable absence to perpetrate and indulge in all kinds of unwholesome acts that are inimical to the peace, law, order, progress and development of Obi Mbieri.
Speaking on the issue of another person laying claim to the position of President General of the community, Emeruem, said ‘’despite the fact that I was duly elected, recognized and issued a certificate by the state government in 2021″, the wife and children of our traditional ruler whose whereabout and health conditions are currently unknown, instigated and empowered one Martin Iwuajoku (AKA Onyeugo) to start laying claim to the position of PG just to infuse disunity, knowing too well that I was officially inaugurated in the palace of the traditional ruler and in the presence of all the leaders and stakeholders of Obi Mbieri. I have also been attending meetings and receiving my monthly stipend from the state governor. At the end of my tenure in June 2023, there will be an election for the next PG. Are they going to continue to be in their fantasy world?
“The position of the leaders and stakeholders is that the traditional ruler, HRH, Eze JN Osuji, should come out from wherever he is hiding and address the citizenry. We are tired of being told by third parties that “Eze said this or said that because it sends a dangerous and ominous signal’’.
This, he said, is very necessary to avoid imminent chaos and break down of law and order in the community as a result of the activities of miscreants, impostors, and criminal elements.
Responding to a question about the activities of one Barr Ikechukwu Nwaopara who was accused by the Obi Mbieri Supreme Council of traditional rulers of forgery and impersonation, the President General said, ‘’Ikechukwu Nwaopara is a man of questionable character who claims to be a practising lawyer. He goes about deceiving and allegedly scamming people’’.
Speaking in the same vein, a prominent leader and stakeholder in the community, Mr Emma Iwuagwu of Ebom village, also confirmed that, to the best of his knowledge, none of the leaders in the community has seen or heard directly from the traditional ruler of Obi Mbieri autonomous community HRH, Eze JN Osuji in the past 3years.
This, he also said, has given rise to all kinds of worrisome speculations.
The unwelcome development, according to him, ‘’is causing problems in the community because some miscreants are taking advantage of the situation to indulge in actions that are capable of heating up the polity.
When told that a release purported to have been issued by the Traditional Ruler was circulated recently, Chief Iwuagwu said, ‘’the fact is that there was a time the Traditional used to travel overseas after informing the Obi Mbieri-in-council.
At that time, before he traveled, he would make his letter heads available for necessary communication if the need arose.
Unfortunately, some dubious people who impounded the letter heads are now using them to misinform and mislead the people’’.
Effort to reach the Monarch on the phone was unsuccessful as his phone line was switched off.
