… As Morgan, Ejikeme, Iwezor Reconcile
It was joy and fanfare as seventeen years of protracted bickering over chieftaincy supremacy in Mgbuesilaru Community of Obio Akpor Local Government Area, was finally rested on Thursday, July 7, 2022.
This came as the Paramount rulers of Okporo, Mgbuesilaru and Rumu Kwurukwuru communities respectively, converged at the palace of the Nyenweli Mgbuesilaru, Eze Ejikeme Wali for the inauguration of the Mgbuesilaru Community Executives, which had been in the doldrums following years of crisis.
A flashback revealed that Eze Ejikeme Wali, the Paramount Ruler of Mgbuesilaru had presided over affairs of the community with a second class recognition in his kitty, under the administration of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
The tide, however turned in 2015 when Governor Nyesom Wike came on board and gave recognition to Eze Morgan Amadi, the Nyenweli Okporo kingdom, with the attendant conferment of second class status to his stool.
This development which drew the ire of the Ejike Wali camp was roundly rejected and threw Mgbuesilaru community into years of crisis.
The eventually resolution of the crisis, precipitated the Thursday Inauguration and the savory atmosphere.
The three ‘royal antagonists’ particularly cherished the moment as it sealed the return of peace and unity to Mgbuesilaru, a community that is home to some multinational oil companies, including the Adamac Group of Companies.
In their respective speeches, the royal fathers commended each other for burying the hatchet in the interest of peace, unity and progress of the community.
Eze Ejikeme Wali who fired the first salvo, described the day as eventful and thanked God for keeping all parties alive to witness the inauguration.
He recalled with nostalgia the heat of the crisis when he and Eze Morgan Amadi was invited to the office of the state Police Commissioner.
He said he was touched by the words of the Commissioner when he said “You both should go and reconcile because the day you are no more, the community will continue to exist”.
While acknowledging that they fought for nothing, Wali said power only comes from God, and that any attempt to acquire power without God would be an exercise in futility.
He disclosed that all rites needed to seal the peace and unity of the community had been performed, and assured that the new found peace and harmony would be unhindered.
In his speech, Eze Morgan Amadi expressed appreciation to all parties who made the occasion possible, stating that their ancestors would be happier that peace and tranquility which the community was known for, had prevailed.
His words, “Mgbuesilaru is known for championing peace in Okporo, Oroesara, Evu, Obio Akpor. What we have done today, has not happened in the history of chieftaincy and community crisis.
“We believe that other communities would emulate our example, knowing that leadership is not the preserve of one person, but a collection of everyone’s contributions and ideas.
And that is what we just did in Mgbuesilaru, making sure that we benefit from the oil companies that are operating here”.
The Eze Kwurukwuru, Chief Ken Onuoha Iwezor, in his speech, described the event as a new Dawn in the annals of Mgbuesilaru Community.
He commended all the parties for their understanding and cooperation in settling the differences that threatened the peace of the community, stating “we will never ever return to Egypt”.
Chief Iwezor while also commending the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station at Mgbuesilaru for keeping law and order in the community, gave assurance that the Women Executives would be inaugurated in the shortest possible time.
The inaugurated officials for Mgbuesilaru Youth Movement were Kingsley Nwanwa (President); Chima Ihunwo (Secretary), Benjamin Amadi and Nyema Amadi (members).
Mgbuesilaru Town Council has Barrister Promise Iwezor (Chairman), Solomon Amadi (Secretary), Vincent Obidi and Darlington Amadi (members).
For the Mgbuesilaru Council of Chiefs, Chief Johnbest Iwezor serves as Chairman; Chief Vincent Nwanwa (Secretary), while Chief Geofrey Amadi and Chief Wilson Wopara serves as members.
