…How Can They Dethrone Me, When They Never Enthroned Me, Cornwell Ihunwo Fires Back
The sledge hammer of the Port Harcourt City Council of Chiefs has again descended on another prominent member of the Rebisi Kingdom in Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State for flouting the chieftaincy coronation rules of the Council. The latest victim, a sibling of the Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Engr. Cornwell I. Ihunwo of Rumu-Elechi Community of Oroworukwo Clan has been stripped of his chieftaincy, as the Council says the coronation was illegal and unlawful.
This development is coming few days after the Council also stripped a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Azeru Opara of his title of ‘Eze Udo Worukwo’ as well as Mr. Emmanuel Orlu Nti Woji, of his title of ‘Eze Obomotu’, claiming that those who performed the coronation on the duo lacked the customary fiat to do so in Rebisi Kingdom, contrary to the extant custom, tradition and heritage of Rebisi people.
In a letter dated Friday, February 5, 2021, the Council said it had been in constant communication with the Rumu-Elechi community, beginning from the 14th day of February to October 26, 2020 when the community gave notice to fill a vacant chieftaincy stool in their community, and introduced Engr. Cornwell I. Ihunwo as the Chief-Elect.
In the letter that was jointly signed by Vice Chairman, Eze Worgu Okabie (Eze Epara Obaziorlu Worukwo Rebisi Kingdom and Secretary, HRH Eze Christopher N. Wonodi JP, Eze Mbam Abali XII/Eze Risi Ohia Rebisi Kingdom, the Council said: “But rather than wait for the Council to direct on the next line of action, you embarked on illegal, unlawful installation/coronation on your chief-elect, Engr. Cornwell I. Ihunwo on Saturday, January 30, 2021”.
The Council noted that Rebisi Kingdom had very clear and unambiguous custom, tradition and heritage governing the issues of nomination, selection, presentation and
coronation of its traditional rulers.
As a consequence of their action, the Council declared: “The Port Harcourt Local Government Area Council of Traditional Rulers hereby disqualify Engr. Cornwell I. Ihunwo as the chief-elect for executing the purported installation.
“We urge you to present another candidate to the Council who may be ‘patient’ and also do the right things”.
The Council emphasized that the said Engr. Cornwell I. Ihunwo, said to be a close relation of the Mayor of Port Harcourt City LGA, Hon. Victor Ihunwo, is not a traditional ruler in Rebisi Kingdom and should not be recognized as such.
But, in a swift reaction, Engr. Cornwell Ihunwo said he was surprised and angered by the statement issued by the Port Harcourt City Council of Chiefs, stressing that the body does not have authority to disqualify him as Chief-elect.
Describing the action of the Council as a clear violation of the custom and tradition of Rebisi Kingdom, Ihunwo said there is more in their action that meets the eye.
“The body that coroneted me is Rumu-Elechi Community. It is their duty to coronet me first and then take me to the Council of Chiefs. So, I do not understand where they are heading to. How can they dethrone me when they never coroneted me in the first place?”, he queried.
“There has not been any official letter to me from the Council that I should do this or that, that I refused to do. So, I am angry and surprised at their
action”, he stated.
Asked if he suspected politics or foul play, Ihunwo affirmed that those could not be ruled out.
“There is nowhere in the history of Rebisi that such decision had been taken by the Council. It has never happened that a family would make someone their chief and the Council of chiefs would want that person changed. It has never been done, not to my knowledge”, he declared.
Engr. Ihunwo maintained that the Rumu-Elechi Community made him a Chief-elect believing that he possessed the pedigree and integrity. His words: “It is on record that I do not have a criminal record or background. The reason which they gave me is that I celebrated my chieftaincy very elaborate, during the opening of my new house.
“They queried why I should celebrate it very elaborate without coming to Rebisi Council of Chiefs. I challenged them, wondering how I should open my house without inviting people, my friends and relations?”, he said, adding that he has consulted his family for the next line of action.
