By Okechukwu Okechukwu
The Traditional Ruler of Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo has urged the general public to disregard the planned first Ofala festival being organised by Chief Daniel Obelle, describing it as illegal.
Obelle, who was issued with certificate of recognition as monarch by ex-governor Willie Obiano 6 days to his exit on power, after several months of suspending Igwe Nwankwo because he was parts of the monarchs that accompanied a wealthy oil magnet, prince Arthur Eze to Abuja to see former President Muhammadu Buhari to mandate the state governor to pay the monarch the mandatory five percent share from the federation account.
However, Igwe Nwankwo approached a court in suit no. Awka/53/2021 seeking reversal of the action on the ground that his suspension and eventual removal violated his fundamental human rights to freedom of fair hearing, assembly and association. The presiding High Court 3 Judge, Justice Otti set aside the action of government and ordered maintenance of Status quo as it were at August 11, 2020 when the suspension order became effective.
According to a statement dated 31st December, 2023, signed by Igwe Nwankwo, on 21st June, 2022, an Awka High Court 3 gave a ruling setting aside the illegal Certificate of Recognition given to Daniel Obelle.
"On 28th October, 2022, the same court reiterated its ruling of 21st June, 2022, especially that nobody can accord Daniel Obelle the title Eze/Igwe, and more especially for Daniel Obelle not to parade himself as a traditional ruler of Nawfia. The court also ruled that its ruling must be obeyed until a higher court overturns its rulings," he stated.
He, however, fingered governor Chukwuma Soludo's aide, one Mr Chinedu Nwoye and a certain Catholic Archbishop as those contributing to the lingering crisis.
"Is it because we have a son that is deputy protocol officer named Chinedu Nwoye (aka Glamour), fondly called excess power. It is obvious that Chinedu Nwoye is acting on a script written by a top traditional ruler and a top Catholic Archbishop. Chinedu Nwoye may have been promised governorship candidate come 2029.
"Let me reinstate what I stated in 2000 after my father's brutal assassination that part of the reason somebody joined some people in Nawfia to plan and execute the assignation of my father, HRH Igwe Dr Sir FPBC Nwankwo (Osuọfia 1 na Nawfia), that he was given an assignment by the church which he did not anchor well with somebody," he noted.
Continuing, Igwe Nwankwo said "Any intelligent person must stay out of Nawfia completely on 4th January 2024. How can somebody removed by court of competent jurisdiction be planning "Ịgụ-Aro" festival on the 4th January, 2024? I use this forum to advise the governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo to take immediate control of the situation in Nawfia before it escalates to uncontrollable situation."