Tension in Aguleri over alleged imposition of Igwe

The appointment of the Igwe of Aguleri by the Anambra State Government is causing disaffection in the community. There is palpable fear and tension in the ancient Kingdom of Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State over the emergency of Dr. Mike Idigo as the traditional ruler of the community. Since the […]

The appointment of the Igwe of Aguleri by the Anambra State Government is causing disaffection in the community.

There is palpable fear and tension in the ancient Kingdom of Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State over the emergency of Dr. Mike Idigo as the traditional ruler of the community.

Since the emergency of Idigo, the community has been under the siege by security men while the ever-busy palace has been deserted.

The community and Idigo ruling family have accused Governor Willie Obiano of imposing his political associate as the Igwe against their wishes and had washed off their hands in the appointment of Dr. Idigo. They said the community is yet to have a traditional ruler, as the purported Igwe is not for the community.

The community said that the selection of who becomes the traditional ruler of Aguleri is purely vested in Idigo’s family and not the governor or any other person outside the ruling family cycle.

Barrister Chinedu Idigo of the Idigo dynasty, who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday, said the kingship in the community is still under contention and for now, the community has no Igwe and when it has, it would be made known to the public.

The Palace Secretary of the Kingdom, Michael Idigo confirmed to Daily Trust on Sunday the development noting that the community has not presented any Igwe.

He said the community had already elected Chuka Idigo as the Igwe and interestingly, the Igwe appointed by the governor even signed in a document where family and community agreed on Chuka to be the monarch.

But, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Mr. C.Don Adinuba who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday said, those accusing Governor Obiano of wrong-doing have no facts to back up their claims.

According to him, if they felt that the governor has violated any law of the land they should be bold to say it or approach the court of law.

“Has the state government violated any law? Which aspect of the law has the state government violated in the circumstance? Their allegations are politically motivated. Let them go to the court and challenge the violation, if there is any one,” he said.

Chuka, who also spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday, said that the Governor refused to give approval to his selection by the family because he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to him, he grew up with Idigo without any problem but somebody is pitching them against one another.

Chuka claimed he was selected by the Idigo family according to traditional rites and had performed the necessary traditional and spiritual obligations as required by the custom of the community.

Immediately after the burial of the late Igwe of Aguleri on March 29, 2019, Dr. Idigo was announced as the new Igwe and since then, the community has been in tension and fear of eruption of violence.

Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that according to the tradition of Aguleri, a new Igwe is crowned immediately the late Igwe’s body is buried.

A source in the palace described Aguleri kingship as peculiar because it is only the Idigo family that selects a king from members and presents to the elders and the community.

The source also said that even the Igwe-In-Council does not have the right or any role to play in the selection process of Igwe.

The source accused Governor Obiano, who is from Aguleri, but not a member of the ruling Idigo family of imposing Dr. Idigo as Igwe.

All efforts to reach Dr. Idigo proved abortive as nobody in the community can tell about his whereabouts since his purported coronation.