…As Council of Chiefs Reconcile After 25 Years Chieftaincy Crisis
It was celebration galore over the weekend at Igwuruta Community of Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State as the desire and initiative of one of the prominent chiefs in the community, Chief Kerian Olocha for a peaceful, united and progressive community finally came to fulfillment to the happiness of all.
Speakers after speakers, starting from the chairman of the Igwuruta Traditional Rulers Council, Chief Ernest Nna Wosu poured encomium on Chief Olocha for intervening to halt the 25 year old chieftaincy crisis in the community and withdrew all the cases pending in the law courts with its attendant wastage of resources and time.
After about six(6) months, the matter was successfully resolved with the warring factions accepting to let bye gone be bye gone in the interest of the community. A matter many say had defied all efforts in the past.
The renegade group, seven in number, were later led to take oath of allegiance by the legal adviser of the council , Chief (Barr.) Lucky Weje who ensured that they signed the dotted lines to affirm their loyalty to the Paramount Ruler for record purposes.
In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Igwuruta Community, HRH Eze (Prof) Samuel Nnadi Wekhe (JP) confirmed that he has forgiven and accepted the group into his fold in the interest of the community.
The chairman of Igwuruta Community Development Committee (CDC) Hon. Ken Amadi in his opinion said that since everyone has realized that no community can move forward in an atmosphere of rancor, that is the reason, they have made a ‘U’ turn and embrace peace.
“At this point in time every segment of the community including the CDC has come to lend its support and loyalty to one and indivisible community led by our Paramount Ruler/Nyenweli, HRH Eze S. N. Wekhe,” he declared.
The leader of the renegade group Chief Damian Weje used the opportunity to advised the council of Chiefs and the Paramount Ruler in particular to look out for some black legs in the council who would want the crisis to continue through their nefarious activities and sabotage for their parochial interest.
He however pleaded with the Paramount Ruler in particular to carry everyone of the returnee chiefs along in his cabinet having paid all necessary fines pronounced against them for their action in the past.
The hero of the day, Chief Olocha, acting Nyechiali Omueke – Igwuruta and Eze Nwanwa I of Umueze Amaimo in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State in an interview with newsmen returned all the glory to God Almighty for using him to bring peace to his community.
He also affirmed that he wouldn’t mind if the reorganization of the Igwuruta council of Traditional Rulers dislodges his own position in the overall interest of the peace and unity of Igwuruta Community.
There were merriment unlimited throughout the day which crept into the night.
