The Anambra State Government has officially declared that Obi Gibson Nwosu is the authentic traditional ruler of Awka town.
This pronouncement effectively brings to a close the protracted dispute over the traditional stool of the Awka Kingdom.
The government also directed the self-acclaimed traditional ruler, Chief Austin Ndigwe, to cease parading himself as the monarch of the kingdom.
The position of the state government was formally conveyed in a White Paper presented to the Awka Town Union by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tochukwu Nweke, who acted on behalf of the state authorities.
While presenting the document to the President-General of the community, Frederick Chinwuba, Nweke stated that the government had accepted key recommendations affirming Nwosu as the substantive and incumbent traditional ruler of Awka.
He explained that the decision was anchored on the provisions of the Awka Traditional Rulers (Amended) Constitution of 1986, which prescribes a rotational system between the Ifite and Ezi sections of the community.
According to him, due process was duly followed in Nwosu’s emergence under this arrangement.
The White Paper further clarified the succession framework, noting that following the reigns of Ezeuzu I from the Ifite section and Ezeuzu II from the Ezi section, subsequent occupants of the stool are to emerge in order of seniority from designated quarters, including Nkwelle, Amachalla na Ato, Agulu, and Ifite Awka.
Nweke added that the government explicitly adopted the committee’s recommendations, stating unequivocally that Ndigwe is not the traditional ruler of Awka and that his claim to the Ezeuzu throne is unlawful, thereby terminating his bid for official recognition.
While endorsing most of the committee’s recommendations, the government rejected the proposal to constitute a constitution review or amendment committee for the community, maintaining that its role is limited to offering advisory support on such matters.
Reacting on behalf of the community, the Deputy President-General, Chris Obuekwe, expressed appreciation to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for intervening in the dispute. He noted that the decision has restored peace and unity in Awka.
Obuekwe also commended the administration’s developmental strides in the state capital and appealed for additional projects to be sited in the area, now that normalcy has been restored.
The White Paper is widely regarded as a decisive step toward ending years of contention over the revered stool, providing both legal and administrative clarity to the traditional leadership structure in Awka.
Governor Soludo had, on several occasions, warned Ndigwe to desist from parading himself as the monarch of Awka, without success. This ultimately necessitated the constitution of the Justice Paul Obidigwe Panel to investigate the matter, which subsequently affirmed Nwosu as the authentic traditional ruler.
The government’s White Paper now stands as the final imprimatur on the stool and serves as a definitive directive to Ndigwe to desist from further claims.
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