Obi Amaeze Oraukwu Succession Crisis: Kindreds Allege Injustice, Manipulation in Appointment Process

By Chibuzo Obidike 

The controversy over the succession of the Obi Amaeze in Orluuku has deepened, with members of the village calling for government intervention and a return to the constitutional process guiding the selection of the village Obi position.

The development followed concerns raised by members of ten kindred in Amaeze over what they described as irregularities and injustice in the process leading to the emergence of a new Obi.

The villagers carried different placards with different insprecotion such as Amaeze is bleeding, a cabal about to mortgage Amaeze, stop leadership of intimidation in Amaeze, Anarchy looms in Amaze, rotation and seniority must be be observed, Obi Amaeze is not for sale, but by kindred seniority, Governor Soludo please give us justice in Amaze, SOS to Soludo.

Speaking during an interview, High Chief Chukwugozie Igboanika, a senior traditional titleholder from Umueatu Kindred, explained that Orluuku has an established traditional leadership structure comprising the Igwe and 10 villages, with each village having an Obi and two Ichies.

According to him, the traditional institution provides for rotation of the Obi stool among the recognised kindreds.

He said the arrangement in Amaeze was established by the forefathers of the community, with Umueatu Kindred, which he described as the head kindred, producing the first Obi and explained that, based on the traditional arrangement, Umuogidi Kindred was expected to produce the next Obi.

According to him, Umueogidi presented a candidate who underwent the required screening process and was subsequently accepted at a village meeting.

Also speaking some elders in the village, Ikechukwu Okeke and Ernest Okafor revealed that they are being intimidated and the perceived influence of money and powerful individuals in the succession process and as such the matter should not be treated as a political contest but as a traditional issue requiring adherence to the established customs in the town.

Contributing, lady Hope Nwandu called for a return to the established traditional arrangement, suggesting that if Umuogidi was unable to produce a candidate, another recognised kindred by rotation could be considered in line with the community’s traditional system.

She described the situation as an injustice to Amaeze and appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the state authorities responsible for local government and chieftaincy affairs to intervene and further questioned attempts by individuals from outside Amaeze to influence the traditional affairs of the community, insisting that the community’s constitution and customs should guide the succession process.

For Kenechukwu Ibe from Umuogidi and Chidozie Onuorah questioned how the elders will be the ones bringing confusion in the town instead of adhering to the customs and traditions of the land and cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used by individuals or groups in the dispute, urging them to protect the long term interests and unity of Amaeze but expressed displeasure that the traditional couldn’t address the unacceptable issue that has brought shame and disunity in their village and calling on the governor to come to their aid as people’s choices and customs must not be bought with money or intimidation.

The community is now looking towards the relevant state authorities for intervention and clarification as stakeholders continue to disagree over the interpretation and application of the traditional succession arrangement.