From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
At last, the Uga community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has concluded all rites required in enthroning a new king.
The community recently fulfilled all traditional and official rules laid out for the selection and coronation of a new Igwe (traditional ruler) hence the issuance of a certificate of recognition and staff of office to Prince Chidi Stephen Ezenwugo as the substantive traditional ruler of Uga by the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
Prince Ezenwugo’s ascension to the royal throne followed his scaling all the impediments associated with the coronation of a new monarch in Uga land.
Earlier, the traditional regent of the community, Chief John Oragwa had dragged Ezenwugo to court, seeking a declaration that his selection as the new Igwe should not take place without his consent.
But the court dismissed Oragwa’s suit on the grounds that “since the constitution of the community agreed that the royal throne is hereditary, it was no longer the business of Oragwa to know when a new monarch would be selected by the community.”
At a brief ceremony to mark the issuance of certificate of recognition to the new monarch at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Governor Obiano declared that with the certificate and staff of office issued to Ezenwugo, by the power conferred on him as the state chief executive, under Section 7 of the Traditional Rulers Law of 1981, Ezenwugo had transformed from Igwe-elect or Obi-elect of Uga to a substantive Igwe or Obi of Uga.
Obiano explained that he was satisfied with the maturity and peaceful processes with which the Uga people chose Ezenwugo as its new monarch and urged other communities in Anambra State which had not selected their own royal father to follow the Uga example.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Greg Obi, flanked by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ikechukwu Onyeabo, had explained that having seen protracted Igweship tussles in many communities, the government came to a conclusion that Uga remained a peace-loving community.
The commissioner disclosed that after all the rigorous screenings and test conducted on Igwe Ezenwugo by the government apparatus, he came out with a distinction.
He, however, warned the new monarch against doing anything capable of leading to the withdrawal of his certificate and staff of office by the government.