Awka leaders defend Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s new title, slamming state interference in their ancient traditions.
The Awka Ancient Kingdom is currently locked in a heated standoff with the Anambra State Government over the legitimacy of a chieftaincy title recently conferred on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Stakeholders and indigenous sons of the state capital have formally condemned a government disclaimer aimed at His Imperial Majesty, Obi Dr. Austin Ndigwe (Ezeuzu III), who bestowed the honor. The state authorities had labeled Ndigwe an "imposter," sparking a fierce debate over the boundaries between government power and ancestral tradition.
A Clash of Authority
Representing the community’s interests, Prof. Emmanuel Obi described the government’s interference as an "unwarranted overreach." He argued that the traditions of the Akwa Ancient Kingdom are not subject to the approval of state bureaucracy or political interests.
The community asserts that Ezeuzu III was unanimously elected by the Oha Awka (Council of Elders) and the Ndichie (titled men). To the people of Awka, any attempt by the state to invalidate his leadership is viewed as an assault on the autonomy of Igbo traditional governance.
"It is we, the people of Awka, who hold the authority to select, crown, and affirm our leaders in accordance with our ancestral laws," the group stated.
Honoring a "Symbol of Resilience"
The title in question, “Anyanwu N’Awalu Ora” (The Light of the Community), was awarded to Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu in recognition of her service to the nation and her status as the widow of the late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
The community maintains that her contributions as a diplomat and a representative of the Igbo people justify the honor, regardless of the state's political stance. They emphasized that the ceremony was witnessed by thousands and carries full cultural legitimacy.
Defending Igbo Heritage
The Awka leadership reminded Governor Charles Soludo’s administration that traditional rulership in Igboland predates modern political appointments. They warned that meddling in such sacred institutions for partisan reasons could sow division and invite unnecessary conflict.
The community is now calling for an immediate retraction of the government’s disclaimer, insisting that the title held by Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu remains valid and celebrated by the custodians of the land.
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