Igbo Speaking Community Declares Eze Anthony Chigbo Elui As Authentic Ezendigbo Of Amuwo Odofin LGA

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The tussle for Ezeship between Eze Prosper Chukwuka and Eze Augustine Ojukwu may have finally ended following the declaration of Eze Anthony Chigbo Elui as the authentic Ezendigbo of Amuwo Odofin LGA in Lagos State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Eze Elui, whose palace is located at 38A Cardoso Street, Kirikiri town, Lagos, was declared the Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin LGA by the Chairman of Board of Trustees, Dr Jonathan Nnaji.

The declaration was made despite the fact that Eze Prosper Chukwuka was issued with certificate of recognition as Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin and FESTAC town by the President of the Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State,  Chief Sunday Udeh.

The declaration has made the certificate issued to Eze Chukwuka as Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin LGA null and viod and of no effects concerning Ezeship in the LGA.

By the decision, Eze Chukwuka and Eze Ojukwu can no longer parade themselves as Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin LGA and the fate of their kingdoms have not been disclosed equally by the BOT.

Earlier, the BOT Chairman, Dr Nnaji, declared that Ojukwu was not crowned Ezendigbo in Lagos State and cannot be described as Eze in any part of Lagos State. But on Eze Chukwuka, Nnaji identified him as one of the Ezendigbo recognized by the BOT because he has record of being crowned Ezendigbo by the Igbo Speaking community unlike Ojukwu.

This was collaborated by Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin, Eze Anthony Chigbo Elui, who stated that he was crowned Ezendigbo of Amuwo Odofin in 1999 in the old 20 LGAs and is the second oldest Eze after Eze Hycient Ohazuruike in Lagos State.

He explained that the Chairman of the occasion on the day he was crowned Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin LGA was Rommy Ezeonwuaka, Ogirisi -Igbo, owner of Rojenny Stadium and Tourist Center, Oba in Anambra State.

He also explained that the late  traditional ruler of Oba town in Anambra State HRM, Eze Okpoko of Oba, gave him letter of recognition and recommendation before he was considered and crowned Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin.

He also mentioned Chief Chris Ekwilo as among the screening committee members, who will thoroughly screened candidates and even went to the candidates home town to verify about the persons.

He stated that when he heard that Ojukwu and Chukwuka were fighting between them, who is the Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin,  he was amused and did not want to engage both of them as they had earlier come to his palace to pay him homage but stated he was embarrassed and publicly insulted by the Igbo Speaking community, Lagos State.

He explained that when Ojukwu met him, he frankly told him that he is not Eze rather Onowu of Ezeudo created by Eze Ohazuruike as such all the Ezeudo installed by Ohazuruike are not Ezendigbo in Lagos State.

The 76-year old Eze Elui stated that on the issue of Eze Chukwuka, he said he came to his palace when they were planning to crown him Ezendigbo in FESTAC town and he was conducting investigation on the petition written against him.

He stated that while he was still conducting investigation, the General Secretary of the Igbo Speaking community, Lagos State, Engr. Chukwuma Odimegwu, brought a goat to his palace, presented it and informed him that Eze Chukwuka has been crowned Ezendigbo and he used the goat to come and pay him homage as Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin.

He stated that he was surprised at what was going on in the social media when both Chukwuka and Ojukwu were fighting for Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin LGA when he is still alive.

Eze Elui stated he did not want to engage them because they know him as Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin LGA but only contacted the BOT members and threatened to sue them because they know the Igbo Speaking Community’s constitution, which they used to crown him Ezendigbo in Amuwo Odofin LGA.