By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The leadership crises rocking the Ohanaeze NdIgbo in Cross River State has taken a dangerous dimension, as one of it’s elites and member of the kingmakers, Barr. Ugorji Nwabueze, has petition security operatives over a likely breach of public peace by a section of Ndigbo members.
Nwabueze, who doubles as Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade on Non-Indigene Affairs and President of Ohanaeze NdIgbo, Cross River State branch, expressed worry over rumours making the rounds in the state that the planned coronation of an Ndigbo monarch on October 2, might likely brew trouble.
In the petition, addressed to the Permanent Secretary/ Security Adviser, Governor’s Office, Calabar, Nwabueze expressed the fear that the event might breach the public peace, uf the issue is treated with kid’s gloves.
Other agencies copied Nwabueze’s petition are: the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, Zone 6; the state Commissioner of Police; the Commander, 13 Brigade, Akim Barracks, and the Director, Department of Security Services, DSS.
Nwabueze urged the relevant agencies to be alert over the October 2 coronation.
A copy of the petition, sighted by CompassNG in Calabar, yesterday, tittled: ‘Report of Likely Breach of Public Peace and Security in Calabar by Unknown Igbo men on 2nd October, at Gomez, Calabar over alleged inuaguration of a faction of Ohanaeze and coronation of Eze Igbo, Cross River.’
The petition recalled that earlier in the year, there was a “security breach, involving attack by unknown gunmen at some security posts in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State, that allegedly resulted in fatality.
“Media reports alleged that the unknown gunmen were chanting IPOB songs and compelling security men at the posts to denounce Nigeria and accept Biafra.”
Nwabueze’s petition claimed that “security report has it that a certain group of Igbo people, in violation of the order from the state Security Adviser’s office, are coming to Calabar, purportedly from some parts and outside the state to inaugurate a faction of Ohanaeze NdIgbo, Cross River State for which I am still the President and which in that capacity few months ago, I led the leadership of Ohanaeze Cross River State to visit the governor, His Excellency, distinguished Senator Prof Ben Ayade at the Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Calabar.
“As Senior Special Assistant, SSA appointed by the governor of Cross River State to take charge of activities of Igbo and subsisting President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in the state, I deny knowledge of the group and its mission in the state capital. No lawful event of Ndi Igbo in the state will take place here without at least my notification and input, since I should act as a liason.
“I have made contact with the national headquarters of Ohanaeze, it claimed no knowledge of authorizing any election in the state nor permitting any one to come for inauguration.
“It is obvious that in such a gathering, considering the fragile security situations in our neighbouring states, there may be infiltrations of unknown men capable of rupturing the peace of the state. Besides, I don’t have any record of any group approaching your office for clearance, as such a request ought to pass through my office.
“State Security Adviser, Sir, more worrisome is the alleged plan by this group to use the day at the said event center for the coronation of one Chief Emmanuel Ezenwenyi as Eze Igbo Cross River State, a contentious issue that has pitched Ndi Igbo in Cross River State against the state Traditional Rulers Council and the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, whose opinion consistently has been that the said coronation will unacceptably mean coronating a king in another king’s (Obong) jurisdiction.
“It will certainly create a clash between owners of the land and Ndi Igbo, who are visitors. Few months back, because of the frequent infractions between Ndi Igbo and our loving hosts, the said title of Eze Igbo Cross River State, in a well publicised press statement was officially withdrawn by my office through the instrumentality of powers conferred on me by Igbo and government of the state and the vexatious and contentious title stands withdrawn.”
Nwabueze averred that in 2003, the Etubom’s Council wrote to the then governor, Mr Donald Duke, to warn the said impostor to be ready to bear the burden of his adventure.
He added, “In 2018, the South East Traditional Rulers Council, custodians of the culture and traditions in Igbo land, abolished the title of Eze Igbo in diaspora, describing it as the height of desecration of the culture of Ndi Igbo.
“The Traditional Rulers Council advised any Igbo son desiring to become an Eze (king) to go to his community and participate in the processes that can make him a king or Eze and not in another man’s land.
“‘Ime Obi,’ the highest decision making body of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo (worldwide) has seriously endorsed the abolishment of the title of Eze Igbo in Diaspora.
“In Cross River State, no non-indegenous community has such titles like Oba or Emir of Cross River State.
“The said planned coronation in whatever guise on the 2nd of October at Gomez Events Center Atekong Street, Calabar, will be vexatious and irritating to the owners of the land, and it will amount to taking their good will for granted.
“As the leader of Ndi Igbo in Cross River State, both in my capacities as Senior Special Assistant to the governor of Cross River State on Non-Indigene Affairs (Igbo) and President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Cross River State, we don’t want anything that will breach public peace or attack on the businesses and properties of Ndi Igbo. I urge you, most respectfully, to stop the said event for it’s grievous security challenges.”
