More appeal has been made to Francis Nwifuru Governor of Ebonyi State to reconsider the presentation of staff of office to new a new of Nkalaha in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state pending when the former Ezeogo Augustine Okwor (now late) will be laid to mother earth.
Members of the traditional rulers council during the reign of the Late Ezeogo Augustine Okwor in Nkalaha Autonomous Community, Ishielu LGA of Ebonyi state, called on the state government to reverse the staff of office given to a new Igwe untill the remains of the dead be buried to avert the wrath of the gods in their community.
Chief Ogenyi-Ogbuabo Edeoga the Traditional Prime Minister of Nkalaha Community, made the appeal while addressing journalists on the recent recognition of a new king in the land while their Igwe, Augustine Okwor was still in the morgue, a situation he described as sacrilege.
Chief Edeoga explained that untill his demise in May 2024, Ezeogo Augustine Okwor (Onwa Fuo Igboamaru II) of Nkalaha served the Community diligently, hence the reason he should be accorded the due respect as a traditional ruler, before a new king can be recognized in the area.
He debunked the rumours that late Ezeogo Augustine Okwor was dethroned.
Chief Edeoga argued that the building project that was ongoing in his compound, his salary and other government presence in his community untill his death, would not have commenced ab initio if the allegation of dethronement was true.
He urged those spreading the falsehood to desist from such act.
The Cabinet members described as lies and defending the indefensible, the rumours alleging that Late Chief Okwor was not fully recognized in the community, adding that as next to the King they never received any notice of dethronement by any committee or any government agency while the monarch lived or even after his demise.
The Nkalaha cabinet council members further maintained that they were still making arrangements on how to officially notify the state government and the public about their late Ezeogo’s demise, before the shocking news of recognizing a new King came to their notice.
The Eze’s council explained that
the delay in announcing the demise of the late king was attributed to Nkalaha tradition and culture where the death of such magnitude (onye izhi) is not announced or made open officially till the Ikpu uzo festival comes and goes the following year.
They lamented that stopping the salary and allowances of the late Ezeogo immediately after he passed on is a feat that has never happened to other Highnesses. The Cabinet members also decried the stoppage of the building project by the state ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs describing it as cruel and disheartening as there are other late traditional rulers in the state whose own houses are ongoing and are almost completed.
According to Chief Edeoga, the acclaimed Kingship election that allegedly produced Chief Thomson Ebeh, was illegal as the then local government Chairman gave a letter to stop the action, hence the reason late Ezeogo Okwor never appeared on the ground on the day of the said election.
He emphasized that there should be a fresh election to produce a new king according to the Ebonyi State Executive Order No.002 of 2021 for the selection, recognition and installation of traditional rulers and Town Unions and Ancillary Unions in Ebonyi state, as signed by the past administration.
The Nkalaha Cabinet members through Onowu thanked Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and expressed confidence that the Governor will harken to the cries of the late Ezeogo’s children whom he said are his fellow youths for the betterment of the society.
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