Tension in Anambra community over alleged plot to dethrone monarch

Tension has reportedly been escalated in Ukwulu, Dunukofia Council of Anambra State, following alleged moves by some government officials and members of the community to dethrone the traditional ruler, Igwe Peter Uyanwa.

The state government recently suspended Uyanwa as monarch of the community and Chairman of Anambra Central Traditional Rulers Council for one year.

His certificate of recognition was also withdrawn by the state government, which based its action on the petitions filed by some people in the community against him.

The Guardian learned that the state government and its supporters in the community are not happy with Uyanwa’s romance with oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze, who has been critical of the Willie Obiano government in recent days.

It was also learned that the state government is not happy about the move by 13 traditional rulers from the state allegedly backed by Eze to submit a petition against Obiano to President Muhammadu Buhari in Aso Rock over the alleged mismanagement of council funds allocated since he came to power.
However, the meeting did not hold.

It was learned that some prominent members of the community, including the family of the late Igwe, T.C. Tagbo, are backing Uyanwa’s removal.

In telephone interview with The Guardian, the son of the first monarch of the community, Prince Chinedu Tagbo, insisted that Ukwulu traditional stool was not vacant.

Tagbo said: “I learnt that people are going round to look for somebody to replace Uyanwa; that seat is not vacant until the performance of my father’s last Ofala (final royal customary rite of passage).

“In Igbo tradition and culture, even if you bury an Igwe and his last Ofala is not performed, nobody will be crowned to succeed him.”

He added: “There is no vacancy in Ukwulu stool. It is a sacrilege to say Uyanwa is a monarch when my father’s last Ofala has not been done.”