The traditional ruler of the Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, HRH Igwe Dr Ogochukwu Daniel Obelle, says his life is under threat.
He said there have been attempts on his life since he became the dueling elected Traditional ruler of the community on February 26, 2022.
He said if anything happens to him, “the government, security agencies, and the good people of Nawfia should hold his rival, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, responsible.
The Monarch made his position known while briefing Journalists at his Palace in Nawfia on Friday, in reaction to a threat notice issue by Igwe Nwankwo, warning that nobody should come into Nwafia in Njikoka Local Government Area on Friday, 22nd September, 2023, for the purposes of celebrating any new yam festival in the community.
Igwe Nwankwo, in a warning signed by himself, said the new yam festival of the community was celebrated on the 15th of September by himself.
Speaking further on the tussle, Igwe Obelle noted that Chijioke Nwankwo has never been a monarch in the community but a regent. And that the Regency was bestowed on him after his late father, Igwe FFBC Nwankwo, whom he (Obelle) respected so much during his reign, was brutally murdered.
According to him, “I’m the constitutionally elected Igwe of Nawfia community and recognized by the government of Anambra State, with a certificate of recognition.
“Every Igwe has a wife that supports him in running the community, and it is in our constitution. Beside me here is my wife, Lady Florence Obelle.
“We’re here to address you because one miscreant who was never elected as Igwe is trying to cause confusion in our peace, lovely community.
“We have sent a message to tell him to hold his peace, and every Nawfia person knows that since 2001, he was installed as regent. A regent is not an Igwe but someone holding space for an Igwe to be elected. His regency was to last for just 5 years, but he continued to parade himself as Igwe.
“How he became a regent was because of the assassination of his father whom everyone loved.
So, his regency was out of pity because his father served so well.
“I was elected on February 26, 2022, and I was given the certificate of recognition afterward by the immediate past administration of Chief Willie Obiano. If Chijioke Nwankwo claims to be an Igwe, tell him to produce his certificate. In the archive of government in Awka, there is no other existing certificate, so Chijioke Nwankwo cannot be claiming to be Igwe.”
Obelle said that Nwankwo had tried to remove him through a court but was only able to secure a court ruling, which he has already appealed and has been set aside.
He said Nwankwo is not qualified to be the community’s monarch.
“Till today, at close to 70, he is not married. I used to be a diplomat, and when I was serving in Ethiopia, he told me that he wanted to marry an Ethiopian woman. I thought he was serious, and I facilitated his visa, but he never got married.
“Part of the constitutional criteria to be Igwe in Nawfia is that you must have a diploma, but he has no certificate. He was my classmate in primary school and never passed any exam. His father was rich and tried to train him in many Secondary Schools, but failed. His father later sent him to Christ the King College (CKC), but he still failed.
“That was when his father sent him to the US and he became a truck driver. How can such a person be the Igwe of Nawfia? He is a dropout, a drug addict who is always at Abakiliki Street hobnobbing with prostitutes, and you want such a person to become our monarch?
“I met all the conditions for the Igweship as conducted by the town union. He is trying to cause trouble in Nawfia, but we have declared war against him. We are handling it, and the CP, DSS, and others are aware. The Njikoka local Government chairman is aware, the president general of Nawfia is aware and all these people are behind us, and we are dealing with this.
“I have written to the State Police Command and the Department of the State Security Service (DSS), to notify them of the threat.
“Today is the iwa ji ceremony of Nawfia, which is an important event in Igboland because of the importance of yam as the king of the crop, and as you can see it is going well.”
“So I am here on a reconciliation mission to ensure restoration of peace in Nawfia community, the Monarch stated.
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