Breaking: Gov. Obiano Suspends Chief Peter Uyanwa as Igwe Of Ukwulu, Dunukofia LGA
The cold war between Billionaire Arthur Eze and Governor Obiano took a different dimension today as the Anambra State governor suspended Igwe Ukwulu; Igwe Peter Uyanwa, signalling danger for Arthur Eze as the Igwe is from Arthur Eze’s Local Government Area. outside politics, that is an act of great desecration of not just the land but the deities too.
Tears must have dropped from the eyes of Ukwulu ancestors following the suspension of Igwe Peter Uyanwa by the Aguleri led government of Anambra State as a way of balancing the battle between them and Arthur Eze.
For the avoidance of doubt, in Igbo culture, the Igwe of a community is first a spiritual head and by extension a physical head of the community he leads. The Igwe is an embodiment of a people’s beliefs, customs, traditions and it’s corollaries. It was a taboo, for even a governor to stand before the Igwe in the past, but today, the Obiano led government has unmasked the throne by suspending a traditional ruler.
Philosophically speaking, the Igwe and the Chief priests are the immediate intercessors of their community, they offer prayers and supplications to the gods, God, and other divinities depending on the worldview of the community in question and bless their people.
Recently, we had a paradigm change in our tradition with the birth of rotation of the throne of the Igwe which is different from the hereditary system that produces monarchs from lineage. Irrespective of this development, the throne of the Igwe vis-a-vis functions have not been redefined.
It takes one who has no respect for tradition, to abuse the same for any reason. From imposing of President Generals to suspension of elected Town Union executive members, now the gods have been visited with the suspension of an Igwe of a community, maybe a remote threat to other Igwe’s who may nurse the intention to an alien with other aspirants or force in the state save that of the APGA lead government of Anambra State. Therefore, it is very safe to say that in Anambra State, the traditional rulers are now political appointees of the government. They have been successfully reduced to the Special Advisers to the Governor of custom and tradition of their people with limited freedom of speech.
Who is next? It could be Onitsha, Ihiala, Nnewi, Awkaetiti, Igboukwu, Igbariam etcetera. The last time I checked none of them has an immunity. Very soon, somebody from Anambra East or West or Ogbaru will be appointed Igwe in Aguata.
Things are falling apart.
Read the letter of Suspension of an Igwe signed by C. Don Adinuba below?
Suspension of Chief Peter Uyanwa as Igwe Of Ukwulu, Dunukofia LGA
1. Following a series of petitions against the Traditional Ruler of Ukwulu in Njikoka Local Government Area from many people in Ukwulu and elsewhere who want to forestall an impending huge crisis in the community, the Anambra State Government has decided to suspend Chief Peter Uyanwa as the Igwe of Ukwulu for one year with effect from Friday, July 24, 2020, in the first instance. His Certificate of Recognition as Igwe is also withdrawn with immediate effect. Consequently, Chief Uyanwa can no longer function as Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council, Anambra Central Zone.
2. These actions have been taken in the public interest.
3. The appropriate security agencies have been notified.
Signed
C. Don Adinuba
Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment.
