Posted by By Nwabueze Okonkwo, Onitsha on
The chieftaincy imbroglio in Onitsha over who occupies the exalted Obi stool has split into two groups indigenes of the Anambra commercial city with each singing a different tune.
The chieftaincy imbroglio in Onitsha over who occupies the exalted Obi stool has split into two groups indigenes of the Anambra commercial city with each singing a different tune.
Already, two Obi of Onitsha have emerged following last
Monday's installation and crowning of Chief Goddy Odukwe as the 21st Obi of Onitsha, even as the incumbent, Obi Achebe who is currently representing a section of traditional rulers at the on-going National Political Reforms Conference in Abuja is still in possession of the staff of office and Chieftaincy certificate given to him in 2002 by the State Government.
Odukwe was on Monday crowned by Chief Olisa Mortune who insists that he is the traditional Prime Minister (Onowu) of Onitsha, while Achebe's loyalists say he has been stripped of the title and given to Chief Chike Ofodile (SAN), former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Even as both camps sing different tunes, the battle line seems drawn between Mortune, Mbanefo, Odukwe, Col. Emordi (rtd), immediate past President-General of Onitsha Improvement Union (OIU) on one side and Achebe, Ofodile and other prominent indigenes on the other. In all of that, grassroots indigenes are at loss which camp to give their loyalty.
Indeed, while some support Achebe and his group for stripping Mbanefo of his Odu-chieftaincy title and giving it to one Okolonji, others back Mbanefo for teaming up with Mortune, Odukwe and Emordi to dethrone Achebe in favour of Odukwe.
Predictably, some doff their hart for Achebe for reportedly dethroning Emordi as OIU boss as well as transferring the Onowu title from Mortune to Ofodile believing that the steps were taken to preserve the Onitsha tradition and customs.
Others that support Mbanefo argue that Achebe should have taken into consideration the former's status as an international figure before stripping him of his Odu title.
Yet, others root for Mortune saying that Achebe had no right under the Onitsha customs to strip the Onowu, a life title.
Curiously, for fear of being on the wrong side at the end of the day, most indigenes preferred to vent their spleen on conditions of anonymity even as the titans do battle.
But Chief Sam Ifeka, second republic commissioner in the Old Anambra State, could not hide his sentiments over the matter. Himself a close political ally of the Mbanefos, Ifeka expressed disappointment over his friend's alleged actions.
"Mbanefo's family is a respectable one in Onitsha but I am disappointed with Arthur's behaviour in this regard and I am sure Sir Louis Mbadefo and other senior Mbanefos, both living and dead, would not be happy with Arthur", Ifeka said.
Efforts to reach Odukwe since his installation proved abortive but his wife, Mrs. Odukwe told Sunday Sun that "my husband has been installed Obi of Onitsha and nobody will take it away from him." She has no qualm if two Obis exist in Onitsha arguing that theirs won't be the first.
She regretted the role allegedly being played by the judiciary in the matter.
"If they had allowed the (transferred) judge to read the judgement, my husband would by now have been given the Chieftaincy certificate if the judgement went in his favour or he would have been in the Appeal or Supreme Court if the judgement went in his disfavour. But the authorities concerned sat on it after transferring the judge. So what else do they want my husband to do?"
Meanwhile, Mbanefo has dragged Achebe to the Onitsha High Court for stripping him of his traditional Odu title in favour of Chief Onyeacholam Ngozi Okolonji.
However, the case could not hold last Thursday as the presiding judge, Justice Peter Umeadi sent words that he was indisposed. That was after the Onitsha community, mainly women, had thronged the court as early as 6am on solidarity. The case was adjourned to May 12, 2005.
Chief Mbanefo had gone to court complaining that in his Odu of Onitsha life time title was taken from him and given to Okolonji by Igwe Achebe contrary to Onitsha customs and tradition.
Mbanefo sought an interlocutory injunction in the court to restrain Igwe Achebe, his servants or Okolonji from preventing him from exercising his rights and privileges and an order to maintain peace in the town pending the determination of the case.
In the substantive action, Mbanefo is asking the court for declaratory relief not to remove
him and also that Igwe Achebe should not appoint any other person an Odu as long as he was still alive.
Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Chike Ofodile (SAN) who Achebe transferred the Onowu title is leading other lawyers for Achebe, while Chief Jerome Okolo (SAN) is appearing for Okolonji, just as Dr. Jacob Ibik (SAN) is heading a team of Lawyers for Mbanefo.
It would be recalled that there was a palace coup on Monday, April 17 when group led by Chief Olisa Mortune, former Onowu (Traditional Prime Minister) installed Odukwe, the 21st Obi of Onitsha even as Achebe is still on the throne.
Meanwhile the three persons arrested in connection with the commotion are said to be helping the cops in their investigation.
The Area Commander for Onitsha, Mr. Dennis Anyagafu warned that his men would not fold their arms and watch Onitsha people drift into anarchy.