Tension in Anambra community , Ihiala over chieftaincy title

www.odogwublog.com reports that there is palpable tension in Umudike Uzoakwa, in Ihiala local government area of Anambra State following an alleged plans by some title men in Umudike to present a former National Assembly member,(Nameswithheld) as the Ezealadike ofUzoakwa before the council of Chiefs in the palace of Olua-Ohaof Ihiala on Saturday, June 10,2017 as the chosen one.

The youths of the community is now up in arms to ensure that a wrong person who is said not to be qualified as the rightful Ezealadike of Uzoakwa is prevented from getting imposed on them as their traditional representatives.

Speaking to newsmen in Ihiala, yesterday, the patron of the youths, Mr. Kenneth Ikeh said that some of their elders who know the traditional and method of selecting the rightful person that will be crowned Ezealadike of any village, have been bought over the former member of House of Representatives.

He said that it was the oldest Ozo tittle in Uzoakwa that is the most qualified for such position. He said. 

"I was taken aback when we heard that some of the Ogbehis’ have bought over by the former lawmaker to present him as the Ezealadike of Uzoakwa. We further heard that the same people are telling other people from other villages that we have resolved the issue of Ezealadike and it was the lawmaker that was chosen which is a blatant lies that is unfounded.”.

According to Mr. Kenneth Ikeh, “Uzoakwa has been a peaceful village in Ihiala but since which the former lawmaker wanted to take over our common heritage(Land), he has been doing everything possible to usurp powers that can be used to take over our land,” he alleged.

“Before now, he has been using police and things to harass andintimidate the entire village to sign off the ala Umudike to him and his cohorts. And as am talking to you people, our life is in great danger, But this time, he will not find it easy because we cannot mortgage our feature in the hands of Chuma who has not done any meaningful project for the community,” he fumed.

Mr. Ikeh called on the members of Olua-oha in council to be careful with people forcing them to do things that are not right in eyes of the gods and people, stating that posterity will judge them if they leave bad legacy. That they must know it all bordered on tradition.

Meanwhile, it could be recalled that Uzoakwa Community has been in crises over who represents them in the palace of the traditional ruler of Ihiala, Oluaoha since 2015.

The Ogbehis’ of the community and the traditional prime minister of Ihiala have made  several attempts to restore sanity and select the most qualified among the contestants through the year and month of their Ozo  title taken which is the yard stick for the choice of Ezealadike but it was a failure.

However, the contest for Ezealadike title has placed the community under fear ofuncertantity as most of the contestant have gone into hiding for fear of being attacked and the community has broke into factions. 

Effort made to reach the Onowo of Ihiala, Onwu Col. L.IOhanehi in his mobile line on the development failed as it was ringing not available at the moment.