Traditional Stool Not for Sale, Izzo Stakeholders Insist, Oppose Aspirant
Some stakeholders in Izzo Autonomous Community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, have faulted the ongoing process to fill the community’s traditional stool, insisting that the revered institution should not be influenced by wealth or personal influence but by integrity, character and a demonstrable commitment to community service.
Speaking on behalf of the concerned stakeholders, Mr Nwokwu Nwanga alleged that one of the aspirants, Mr Monday Sunday Ogbule, had spent most of his life outside the community and did not play an active role in its development before indicating interest in ascending the traditional stool.
Other stakeholders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also questioned Ogbule’s suitability for the position. According to them, he lacks adequate knowledge of the community’s customs and traditions and has not demonstrated the qualities expected of a traditional ruler. They, however, acknowledged that he hails from the Umuenyi kindred, which is traditionally entitled to produce the next traditional ruler.
While declining to publicly endorse any particular aspirant, the stakeholders disclosed that many members of the community were favourably disposed to another contestant who, they said, had successfully undergone screening and security clearance by the appropriate authorities.
They further maintained that, to the best of their knowledge, the Ebonyi State Government had not issued a certificate of recognition to any individual as the traditional ruler of Izzo Autonomous Community. They therefore called for a transparent, credible and inclusive selection process that would give all qualified aspirants a fair opportunity to participate in line with the laid-down procedures.
The stakeholders recalled that Izzo Autonomous Community was carved out of Ezza Ezilo by the Ebonyi State Government as part of measures to promote lasting peace following the protracted communal conflict between the Ezza and Ezilo communities. They stressed that the emergence of a new traditional ruler should strengthen, rather than undermine, the unity and stability of the community.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of Mr Monday Sunday Ogbule to the allegations were unsuccessful as he could not be reached at the time of filing this report. The claims made against him remain allegations by the stakeholders and have not been independently verified.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
