Aro Throne: Otti Urged to Recognise Idei as Crowned King to Avert Looming Crisis

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

As the struggle for kingship succession threatens to engulf Arochukwu Kingdom in violent crisis, the Governor of Abia State, Mr. Alex Otti, has been urged to intervene without delay to avert the looming danger.

The governor was specifically asked to accord recognition to His Majesty, Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei, “the duly crowned king of Arochukwu Kingdom”.

Youths representing the 19 villages of the ancient Kingdom in Arochukwu Local Government made the call during a solidarity march in Arochukwu to affirm their “unwavering support” for Idei’s kingship.

Mazi Kanu Idei was said to have been crowned by the  Ibom Isii Village, the Kindred  traditionally recognised as kingmakers. But his legitimacy is being challenged by those supporting the candidacy of Nwamazi Pastor Eberechukwu Oji for the Eze Aro stool.

However, the Aro youths, in efforts to break the impasse, sent a “resounding message” to the Abia government during their solidarity march on Wednesday, saying that Idei remains the king of Arochukwu people.

They called for prompt acknowledgment of Idei’s “rightful entitlements as the reigning monarch” of Aro, adding that government ought to adhere “to established traditions and the conferral of the appropriate privileges accompanying the crown”.

The youths warned Abia authorities “to desist from endorsing Nwamazi Pastor Eberechukwu Oji’s candidacy for Eze Aro”, citing his lack of jurisdiction to contest or ascend to the throne.

The  youth of Arochukwu kingdom further cautioned government to guard against taking actions that “might jeopardize the enduring peace that characterises Arochukwu”.

According to the representatives of the Aro youths from the 19 villages, the entire community “has unequivocally embraced their crowned king without reservation” hence government should act in line with the people’s will.

The youths emphasised the looming eruption of violence which could upset the prevailing harmony in Arochukwu kingdom should Abia government interfere and endorse Pastor Eberechukwu Oji for the stool of Eze Aro.

A spokesman for Ujari village, Orji Okoroji expressed deep concerns about the alleged “concerted efforts” by the Abia State government to impose Nwamazi Pastor Eberechukwu Oji’s ascendancy to the throne.

He insisted that such imposition could harm the existing unity and cohesion that Arochukwu Kingdom has been known for thereby, “potentially sowing seeds of discord and division”.

Chinedu Ezenta, from Amasu Village, called for respect and adherence to the revered traditions guiding the crowning of a king among the Aros, adding that the “sacred protocols” must be observed.

Speaking in an interview with journalists, Mrs. Blessing Okoronkwo, who is a prominent personality from Asaga Village in Arochukwu, took a swipe at the apparent incompatibility of Pastor Oji’s role as minister of God and the traditions of Arochukwu Kingdom.

She challenged him to undergo the traditional rituals at the ancestral temple (Awada Aro) to substantiate his claim to the throne, adding that Oji would confirm his eligibility if he survived the rituals and endured until the forthcoming months.

There custodians of Arochukwu customs and traditions warned of dire consequences should anyone go against the traditions of Arochukwu in the process of selecting and crowning a king.

The Eze Ibom Isii, HRH Kanu Nwa Kanu emphasized that in the annals of Arochukwu history, no individual had ever ascended the throne while the father of such a king was alive hence the sacred precedence should not be violated.

In his message to those backing Pastor Eberechukwu Oji, the Eze Ogo of Utugugwu, Eze Friday Ajunwa urged them not to treat with levity the customs and traditions of Arochukwu kingdom.

Referencing recent historic evidence, Eze Ajunwa stated that the individual responsible for the controversial coronation of the late Eze Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro, “met tragic end, confessing and regurgitating live fish before his demise”.