Posted by By Joe Kalu on
The reinvigorated Ututu Development Union (UDU) in Arochukwu local government area of Abia state seems to face a litmus test on how to fill the vacuum of Eze Ututu stool created by the sudden demise of its last occupant, HRH Eze Samuel Nwankwo Okore about seven years ago.
The reinvigorated Ututu Development Union (UDU) in Arochukwu local government area of Abia state seems to face a litmus test on how to fill the vacuum of Eze Ututu stool created by the sudden demise of its last occupant, HRH Eze Samuel Nwankwo Okore about seven years ago. The crisis has not been resolved despite the creation of eight autonomous communities out of the whole.
The nephew of the late monarch, Chief Michael Umoekwe Kalu, a retired Inspector of Education who was pressurized by the kingmakers (Nde akpa asaa) and the nineteen village heads of Ututu to provide leadership for the forum has alledgedly faced serious threats to his life from different quarters for accepting the offer.
According to our source, the third son of the late monarch, Mr. James Akuma Nwankwo Okore who indicated interest on the stool as a matter of right, and HRH Eze Francis Nchege Kalu of Umunna Ututu Autonomous community whose domain housed the traditional stool equally feel threatened by the development. Our sources continued, Mr. M. U. Kalu had to report the matter to the police at Arochukwu police station. The DPO Mr Ime Akpan who was not satisfied with the initial investigation had to personally reinvestigated the matter and confirmed a case of threat to life and invited the trio of HRH Eze Francis Nchege, Mr. James Akuma Nwankwo Okore and another stakeholder, Sir Joseph C. Nwankwo for a chat in his office. They were cautioned to maintain the peace while arrangement were on to resolve the matter.
Meanwhile, investigations conducted by this publication confirmed that the Eze-elect Me. Michael Kalu himself has been under intense pressure by his family members to drop the offer for the sake of his life. The kingmakers themselves have threatened to pour libation at the shrine (Awada Ututu) where major traditional Ututu policies are taken, invoking the ancestors to go after all those who are thwarting their intention. The chief priest said: "we have done our own bit. Since they have refused this last effort by us to fill the vacuum we have no alternative than to invoke the ancestors against the offenders in order to safeguard our own lives". Speculations are also rife that the eight autonomous traditional rulers in Ututu especially those from the 'Eleoha' political divide have been strategizing on how to combine the traditional stool with their new status.
When our reporter sought the reaction of the Eze-elect, he expressed surprise saying that "all this while they have been pressurizing me to take the offer, I gave them conditions which will make me accept the it.
Mr. Kalu said the conditions included to wait for him until he is retired as civil servant, for him to get a suitable house that will accommodate their meetings. Accordingly, the kingmakers promised him that the coast was clear before he made himself available. HRH Eze Francis Kalu on his part said he does not have problem with anybody occupying the vacant post as long as it does not disturb his own stool, "but it has to follow the proper procedure of letting me know as it is in my kingdom. We have all been trying to ensure that Amaeke as the head of Ututu retains its traditional and rightful place".