History was made in Oyigbo metropolis, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Saturday November 2, 2019 and Tuesday November 12, 2019 as the Igbo Community in Oyigbo peacefully elected a new Paramount Ruler on the earlier date and as well successfully coronated him on the later date to pilot their affairs.
He is no other than, HRH Eze Sunny Chinwuba Williams who hails from Amaudo in Ekwulobia clan, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The title of the new Igbo Paramount Ruler is “Eze Eziokwu Bu Ndu II of Ndigbo.”
The young King Williams succeeds late Eze Richard O. Ekegbu, “Eze Eziokwu Bu Ndu I of Ndigbo” who joined his ancestors two years ago.
The coronation of Eze Williams was performed by the chairman of Ukwa West Traditional Rulers Council, Abia State and Traditional Ruler of Ipu South Autonomous Community, Okohia Asa, HRM Eze (Hon) Godwin Chinke Ukannah, Nnanyere Ugo I of Ipu South.
Similarly, the widow of the late Paramount Ruler, Ugoeze Helen Ekegbu crowned the wife of the new Paramount Ruler, Ugoeze Ndidi Favour Williams as her successor with a pledge to ensure maximum support of the Igbo women group for her to succeed in her new assignment.
Shortly after the coronation, Eze Ukannah supported by his cabinet members charged the young Paramount Ruler and his wife to be selfless, loyal, humble, committed and respectful to constituted authorities in course of exercising their given mandate.
The monarchs jointly libated and prayed for a successful reign of the King. According to them, “You were jointly chosen and crowned by all of us. Therefore, anybody or group who sabotages this arrangement would die and you too if you use the position to suppress your subjects or sabortage the Igbo course, you will face the traditional consequences of the throne”, to this everybody chorused, A-m-e-n.
Eze Ukannah further advised that everyone should support the couple in anywhere possible in order for them to serve Ndigbo better and take the Ethnic Nationality to the next level.
Eze Williams in response, promised on behalf of himself, family and cabinet members to abide by all the charges given to them in order to build on the achievements of his predecessors.
He equally used the opportunity to appeal for useful advice, support and encouragement from everyone to achieve set goal.
In his first assignment, the Igbo Paramount Ruler appointed High Chief (Dr) Henry Uche Kanu from Arochukwu in Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State as his Traditional Prime Minister (Onowu) to the administration and cheering of the mammoth crowd present.
You would recall that after two years of mourning their late Paramount Ruler, Eze Richard O. Ekegbu who reigned for 28 years on the throne, the Igbo Council of Chiefs, Oyigbo gathered to elect a new leader from the five (5) Igbo speaking states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo.
The contestants were Chief Sunny Williams, High Chief Anselem Maduakor, Chief (Sir) Festus Onukwufor and High Chief (Dr) Henry Kanu; which the Paramount Ruler emerged victorious overwhelmingly.
