KINGSLEY EBERE
It appears that Ezendigbo in diaspora crowned by Igbo Speaking Community escaped the hammer as they were not affected by the recent banning of the title by South East Council of traditional rulers if there will be enforcement of the directives.
P.M.EXPRESS investigation revealed that the Igbo Speaking Community was duly registered at Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with BOT members led by Dr Jonathan Nnaji and enacted by the Act of Parliament in the National Assembly.
Therefore, the Igbo Speaking Community will not be affected because they derived their existence from the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the act of Parliament.
This may have made the decision of the ban unenforceable by the South East Council of traditional rulers on the Igbo Speaking Community Ezendigbo in diaspora, which may amount to null and void.
Those who may have been affected by the ban included Ezendigbo crowned by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo Community and Eze Udo crowned by Eze Christian Nwachukwu and Eze Hycient Uwazuruike respectively.
If the ban is enforced by the Council of Traditional rulers, it means the number of Ezendigbo especially in Lagos may be reduce to the barest minimum, which might signal the restoration of sanity on prestigious stool of Ezendigbo title.
Earlier last year, the president of the Igbo Speaking Community, Chief Sunday Udeh, at the palace of Eze Chika Nwokedi stated clearly that the Igbo Speaking Community’s Constitution empowers the community to crown Ezendigbo in various communities where Ndigbo reside in diaspora.
There has been reactions over the banning of the Ezendigbo title in diaspora and changing it to Onye Ndu Ndigbo especially those directly affected by the banning.
Eze Christian Nwachukwu, who is the founder of Igbo Community, has dismissed the ban placed on the use of the title “Eze Ndigbo” by Igbo leaders outside Igboland and asked Igbo leaders outside the South East to use the title “Onye Ndu”.
Nwachukwu stated that the matter had been laid to rest when Eze Cletus Ilomuanya was the Chairman of Imo Council of Elders and Southeast Council of traditional rulers.
He explained that the matter was litigated and resolved in favour of leaders of Igbo people to use the title “Eze Ndigbo”.
Eze Nwachukwu stated that the recent ban was unnecessary and frivolous especially at this period Ndigbo have many challenges in Igbo land.
He advised the Council to channel their efforts and resources to providing solutions to critical issues that confront the Igbo people.
Also in the same manner, Eze Udo in Oriade LCDA, Eze Chukwuakalikamadu Emmanuel, condemned the ban and stated that it was not necessary.
Eze Chukwuakalikamadu advised the South East Council Of Traditional Rulers to have a re- think, as their decision most likely would be counter productive, unpopular and distractive, especially at this turbulent period in Igbo political, sociocultural rejuvenation.
He queried the Royal Fathers to explain what would become of the Pan Igbo Sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“Are we going to yank off the ”Eze” in Ohanaeze Ndigbo or do we now call it Oha Ndi Ndu?” he asked
He assured the South East Council Of Traditional Rulers, that Eze Ndigbo Titles In Diaspora, which he insists is sociocultural, does not in anyway diminish their status and honours as Natural Traditional Rulers and Royal Fathers, who the Diaspora Ezes are under their authority and always pay homage to.
He opined that the decision taken by the Royal Fathers without consulting the affected Diaspora Eze Ndigbos, was ill conceived and in bad fate.
The president of the Igbo Speaking Community, Chief Sunday Udeh and the BOT led by Dr Jonathan Nnaji, have not reacted over the ban. It was not certain if they believe that it was not necessary to react following the legality of the Igbo Speaking Community under the law in Nigeria.
If the Council of Southeast traditional ruler wants to enforce the directive on Ezendigbo crowned by the Igbo Speaking Community, they will first go to the National Assembly to amend the law, which may be difficult to do.