Posted by Tension is now rising in Iji Nike community, Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, over the supposed expulsion of the town’s President-General and Chairman of the Ikwu Ekpe masquerade, Chief Chukwuemeka Anike, by the community’s traditional ruler, Igwe Julius Nnaji.
Nnaji was accused of installing another individual without the agreement of the elders and against the wishes of several community members.
Speaking about how he was supposedly removed, Chukwuemeka Anike stated that the traditional’s conduct was null and void because he lacked the power to remove him alone.
He stated that he had done no offense against any individual or the customs of the land that warranted his deportation, and that even if he was accused of any wrongdoing, the elders and the Igwe would welcome him to explain himself.
They urged State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of the Department of State Services to intervene before Igwe Nnaji’s issue in the village worsens.
“I just want to let the general public know that some group of persons are trying to generate problem in Iji Nike community which is made up of Umuchigbo and Umu Enwene where I am the President General.
“I was sworn in as PG by Igwe Nnaji at the premises of the eldest man in the community, Elder Dominic Okorie-Ifenze in 2021, barely 2 years ago for a five-year tenure. The Igwe chose to remove me on his own.
“I never committed any crime that warranted my removal. Let the Igwe inform the elders of my offense. Allow him to inform the entire community of what I have done.
“I am appealing on the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who has done it before today in Iji Nike Community to come to our rescue. Because Igwe is inciting violence in our neighborhood, the IGP and Director of DSS should come to our rescue. “I’ve been keeping back the youths, but I’m tired of stopping them,” he remarked.
Speaking to journalists in his residence, the eldest man in Iji Nike, compromising Umuchigbo and Umuenwene, Elder Dominic Okorie-Ifenze condemned the action of Igwe Nnaji, saying it is illegal.
He claimed that when summoned by the elders, the traditional ruler admitted his mistake but refused to return to the palace to clarify the claims levied against the PG.
“What the Igwe did was against our customs and traditions. It is illegal and cannot be tolerated. He did it without consulting the elders. We are in the midst of installing the PG and the chairman of the Ikwu Ekpe masquerade.
“We summoned him and after everything he accepted his fault but refused to come back on the day we scheduled to meet. The elders and the Chairman of Ekpe masquerade were at the meeting but the Igwe failed to show up. So as far as I am concerned, Chukwuemeka Anike is still the Chairman of Ikwu Ekpe,” he stressed.
Reacting, Igwe Nnaji said that it was within his power to superintendent over the community as the custodian of culture, adding that he does not need the approval of the elders to remove anyone who has become a threat to the culture of the community.
He alleged that members of the community had submitted several reports against the chairman of Ikwu Ekpe masquerade and he decided to remove him and install another individual who was chosen by the community.
He said: “In the Enugu State traditional rulers law, it was spelt out the duties of traditional rulers and it is my duty to ensure that nothing goes wrong in our community.
“I removed him because of several offences he committed and his removal stands. I do not need the approval of the elders. I have raised the hand of another individual and that is final.”