KINGSLEY EBERE
Ezendigbo in Ottor Awori LCDA in Lagos State, Eze Dr. Peter Olikenyi Omenife, has written a petition to the Igbo Speaking Community Board of Trustees (BOT) over the clandestine creation of additional two Ezendigbo by the President Sunday Udeh in order to create confusion in the area.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that in the letter to the BOT Chairman, Dr Jonathan Nnaji, which sighted this media platform, Dr Emenife asked the BOT to intervene to stop the confusion being created by Chief Udeh and his executives thereby destroying the culture and tradition of Ndigbo.
Eze Omenife wrote the petition based on the letter sent to him by the Igbo Speaking Community, Ottor Awori LCDA informing him about what happened recently on the creation of two additional Ezendigbo in the LCDA by Chief Udeh.
The letter to Omenife stated:
“I write to bring to your attention a matter of utmost urgency and gravity. A group of Igbo Speaking Community Lagos State Executives, led by President General Chief Sunday Udeh, has orchestrated a sham coronation on Obi Imude, Chief Anayo Aguedu as Eze without consulting members of our community or any relevant group.”
“Until now, Imude has coexisted peacefully, acknowledging your esteemed position as the only recognized Eze Igbo, coronated by the recommendation of the Community and Ohanaeze. None of these bodies were consulted or involved in this sham exercise, which was conducted in secrecy and haste.”
“We have convened an emergency meeting and collectively disregarded the fake coronation. However, we are left to ponder the motivations of the state players who emerged unexpectedly to coronate another Eze, serving no course. We hereby appeal to you to please take urgent steps to bring normalcy that we might enjoy the peace we once had.”
The letter was signed by their Chairman, Chief Kalu Ogwo and Secretary, Alex Egbunaa.
Following the letter by the Igbo Speaking community, Eze Omenife then wrote to the members of the BOT seeking for their intervention to restore peace in Ottor Awori LCDA.
The letter stated:
“I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of utmost gravity and concern. It has come to my notice that certain individuals have suddenly been parading themselves as Eze without proper validation from the relevant Igbo socio-cultural organizations, specifically the Igbo Speaking Community and Ohanaeze, both of Oto-Awori LCDA chapters.”
“Recently, I received petitions from the Obi of Ketu and my people in Imude, detailing the unauthorized declaration of individuals as Eze in their respective communities. In Ketu, a community Chief, Uchenna Dike, suddenly declared himself Eze of both Ketu and Divin communities without consultation or approval. Similarly, in Imude, Obi Agudo Kenneth Anayo, who was installed by me as my administrative extension of the palace in Imude as Obi, also declared himself Eze without my knowledge or that of the community leaders.”
“These actions are not only a blatant disregard for the established protocols and traditions of our people but also a potential source of confusion and conflict within the affected communities.”
“I have attached copies of the petitions I received, which provide further details on this matter. I urge you to kindly issue a directive to address this issue and prevent further unauthorized declarations.”
“It is imperative that we maintain the integrity and sanctity of our traditional institutions and ensure that those who aspire to leadership positions do so through legitimate and recognized channels.”
When P.M.EXPRESS contacted the BOT Chairman, Dr Jonathan Nnaji, he confirmed that he received the petition and the BOT will look into the matter to address the situation.
Chief Sunday Udeh has not reacted over the petition and could not be reached because his phone number was switched off.