Confusion in Alor as Assembly disowns Igwe Okonkwo , faults Obiano

… confirms Igwe Collins Chukwumesili

There is brewing confusion in Alor, a community in Idemili South Local Government area of Anambra state over the kingship position of the community.

The reaction of Alor peoples’ assembly was following the recent lifting of suspension on the suspended traditional rulers by the government of Anambra state which the Alor traditional ruler, Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo was part of.

In a release on Tuesday by the President-General, Alor Peoples Assembly, APA, Chief (Sir) Uzoma Igbonwa said, “It has become necessary to address ourselves in view of the recent development in the state as it affects our dear town. Most of us are already aware that the Anambra State Government has lifted the suspension it placed months ago on some traditional rulers including the self-styled and purported traditional ruler of Alor, Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo.

“This is the wisdom of the Executive Governor of Anambra State, and therefore the decision of Government of the State. As law abiding citizens, we assure our respect and loyalty. However, what the Alor Peoples Assembly cannot certainly assure or stop is the “passive resistance” of the people of Alor to this six years old imposition, re-enacted by the extant restoration of certificate to Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo as a traditional ruler. The reason is that every ruler needs the acquiescence of the subjects to be. Unfortunately, Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo has none and therefore cannot be. We dare say that by the reason and decision of the overwhelming majority of Alor people, he is not our traditional ruler! Certificate makes no Igwe, just as the hood makes no monk. Only the will of the people, clearly expressed in the sovereign power does.

“The power and the authority of the people of Alor have untrammeled, been given to H.R.M., Igwe Collins Ebelechukwu Chukwumesili (Ebubechukw-Uzo) as Ezediohamma III, The Igwe of Alor. No compromise! The Eze-Ofor VIII of Alor, Chief Gibson Onyekaonwu on that occasion gave him the sacred ‘Ofor Alor’ and ancestral traditional Staff of Office. Trite to say it is the Community that crowns while the Government accords certificate and not the other way round.

“We therefore regret nothing whatsoever, for Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo has been gallivanting with the certificate of recognition since 2014, yet a verifiable 99 percent of Ndi-Alor snub him. Along these dark and locust years he pretended on the throne with the rejected, defunct and Court disbanded Caretaker Committee town government, Alor receded in all facets of life until the sovereign will of the people gave birth to the elected Executive Committee of Alor Peoples’ Convention (Now: Alor Peoples’ Assembly) in February, 2019 and the restoration began.

“Today, we can comfortably assert we have retrieved our dear town from their vicious, wicked grip. We have restored regular electricity to Alor and gingered small scale industries and creativity. We have taken on erosion menace and construction of new inner roads as God continues paving our way and blessing our town, through our illustrious son and the Hon. Minister of Labour and Employment, H.E., Sen. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, OON (Onwa). The Alor Skill Acquisition Centre which he also attracted is at the final stages of take-off. The Nkwo Alor market project has equally made huge successes as lines of Stalls have been completed with the patronage of Alor sons who have found confidence in our development efforts. Economic activities within Nkwo Alor Market have increased, attracting distant traders and cutting short sundry trips to Nnobi, Awka-Etiti even Igbo-Ukwu to shop for items now readily available at Nkwo Alor. But we started with the little – clearing of dump of refuse and bushes that took over the gutters and major roads. To God be all glory!

“Why should we then lose sleep that Mac-Anthony Elibe Okonkwo who neither represent our crown, throne, tradition nor the marked industry and dignity of Alor people pretends on a strange throne? Who is bothered that a man who in cahoots with the tiny clique of dissemblers, flouted due process of Igwe selection and made mockery of our constitution, convention and tradition is parading a certificate? Who indeed loses sleep that a self-styled Igwe who is not ashamed of deprecatory, below-self-esteem conducts which reduce the collective dignity and pride of Ndi-Alor in the gathering of towns is accorded recognition? We are least bothered by this new opportunity to further ridicule and bring Alor to more opprobrium by Mac-Anthony Elibe Okonkwo as he is not recognized by Ndi-Alor. At no time was he given the sacred ‘Ofor Alor’ or the traditional staff of office, or ever crowned by Ndi-Alor. “Mkpi mbugo a di agba”, our people say.
In sum, Mac-Anthony Chinedu Okonkwo is not the Igwe of Alor. He is only an “Edomite on Judea Principate”.

“I therefore urge all of us, the good people of Alor London, to please remain calm and be about our normal businesses, as we get ready for our Annual General Meeting, Thanksgiving and Mass Return as scheduled for Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 at OBI ALOR . Time is 10 am. The security agencies have approved and assured of security at the event in line with the application we made over a month ago .

Thank you my people & God bless you all.
Chief (Sir) Uzoma Igbonwa
The President-General, Alor Peoples Assembly (APA)