Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
An Igbo socio-political group, Ndi Igbo Royal Heritage (NIROH) worldwide has joined eminent citizens in Igboland in condemning the role played by traditional rulers in Anambra State during the visit of Atiku Abubakar to Anambra State, recently.
On December 15, Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate in the forthcoming general election, met with the Anambra traditional council at the government house in Awka, the state capital.
The meeting, it was widely reported, was part of the PDP candidate’s nationwide consultation and a kick-off of the party’s campaign in the state.
Since the meeting which was also graced by Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, surfaced on social media platforms, there has been a series of backlash and criticism of the monarchs by citizens in the state over the venue of the meeting.
But in a strong-worded statement, the traditional council had said the choice of venue for its recent meeting with the candidate was “convenient” for all parties involved.
According to them, “The logistics for the Chairman of the Traditional Council, Obi of Onitsha, to first receive the PDP campaign team at his palace at Onitsha and thereafter wade through the normal hour’s heavy traffic in the city to Awka to preside over the regular meeting of the Traditional Council, including the receiving the PDP team, would have been horrendous for all.”
This defense, however, did not save the traditional rulers from further criticism as NIROH during their recent Igbo Unity Day Celebration, described the character exhibited by the monarchs as a show of shame to the Igbo traditional system.
“Ndigbo Royal Heritage (NIROH) worldwide condemns in its entirety the assembling of Anambra State traditional rulers at Awka to welcome Atiku Abubakar.
“Traditional rulers should be in their palace-like their counterparts in the west and north and the politicians should go and pay homage to them. I can’t imagine Ooni or Sultan going to welcome Peter Obi,” said Paul Okoye, NIROH President general.
The body believes that politicians have bastardized the Igbo royal system and that the traditional rulers have made themselves willing tools for politicians and governors in the southeast.
“It is regrettable that our traditional rulers are at the beck and call of the politician because of stomach infrastructure. Our traditional institutions have been bastardized by politicians, especially the governors.
Imo, Abia and Enugu have more than 1000 autonomous kings each. This is despicable and every well-meaning son and daughter of the Igbo Nation must join NIROH worldwide not only to condemn but also to stop this loathsome and abhorrent act of our political leaders.”