Community Cautions Govt Against Imposition Of Monarchs

Some concerned citizens of Umuogele Autonomous Community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, have appealed to the government to stop the imposition of a monarch on them.

Leader of the group, Mr Chidi Amechi made the appeal while briefing newsmen on Monday in Umuahia.

Amechi, who is also the Chairman, Umuaghamanya Development Union, one of the villages, said that such intervention would save the area from unnecessary communal clash.

He recalled that the autonomous community was made up of seven distinct villages that derived their names in their order of seniority.

Amechi gave the names of the villages in their order of seniority as Umuaghamanya, Odukpiri/Ugocha, Umuizundu/Umuiwenma, Umeje, Umungburu, Umuagwaoke and Umuamamehi.

“In 2000, the amended monarchical Constitution of Umuogele Autonomous Community provides that selection of a monarch in the community should be in order of seniority, starting from Umuaghamanya.

“The constitution also provides that the stool which will not be hereditary will rotate between the two major settlements of Umueteo and Ugwulagbo,” he said.

Amechi said that the aim was to avoid unhealthy rivalry among the people of the area.

“In 2001, during the time for the installation of a monarch, Umuaghamanya was denied of the opportunity to produce the monarch.

“The staff of office was given to the wrong person, who could not be crowned as he was afflicted by strange ailment that led to his death before the expiration of his supposed tenure.”

Amechi said that the people of Umuogele had come to appreciate the importance of the constitutional provision.

“But instead of abiding by this constitutional provision, a group of disenchanted people are now trying to impose somebody from junior kindred on Umuogele and this poses great security threat.

“They have given us the impression that they have the backing of the state government as they have approached the government for staff of office.”

Meanwhile, Chief Emma Nwabuko, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said that the state government did not support imposition of monarch.

“There is a guideline for the recognition of traditional rulers, which is the constitution of the people and we will always abide by such.

“Even if there are 10 people that are vying for such position the highest we do is to conduct a plebiscite for the wish of the people to prevail,” the commissioner said.

Nwabuko appealed to all concerned not to do anything that could heat up the polity.