– Says, l’m Still Traditional Ruler
– Promises To Support Legally Constituted Autonomous Communities
The traditional ruler of Umuokanne autonomous community, in Ohaji Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state, HRM, Eze Dr Matthew Chiedozie Nwokoma, has emphatically stated that he is still the traditional ruler of the community. Hence any person either parading himself as the traditional ruler or working behind the scene to sponsor, or position any other person as the traditional ruler of Umuokanne autonomous community is not only wasting his time but also fuelling the amber of criuses, rancour and acrimony.
Eze Nwokoma, who resigned from the police force following the death of his elder brother to become the Traditional Ruler in line with the hereditary kingship pattern of Umuokanne, has brought peace, unity, and development to the community. He emphasized that his reign has improved security, orderliness, and cordiality among the people.
The monarch expressed his willingness to accept new autonomous communities within Umuokanne, provided due process is followed. “We are waiting for the state government to approve any other autonomous community for us,” he said. “I will accept any new autonomous community created with clean documentary evidence in good faith.”
Eze Nwokoma urged those inciting trouble to stop or face the wrath of the ancestors of the land. “We want a cool breeze that shall make us be at home with it,” he said. “War is very expressive, damaging, but peace is priceless.”
The President-General of Umuokanne Town Union, Sir Bethel Enyinna, and other community leaders affirmed their support for Eze Nwokoma, stating that they are all ready to welcome more autonomous communities duly acquired. They emphasized that HRM Eze Nwokoma has been ruling the community well, bringing peace, unity, and development to the community.
The leaders condemned the alleged imposition of an Eze-elect on the community, describing it as an effort in futility. Any imposed Eze for Umuokanne is totally out of place, they maintained.
Eze Nwokoma called for continued calm and urged his subjects to aspire for goodness and collective development of the community.
As a peace ambassador and security expert, Eze Nwokoma’s leadership has earned Umuokanne recognition as the most peaceful community in Nigeria by the United Nations. As such over 40 percent of Ohaji indigenes displaced in their various restive communities take refuge in Umuokanne , Eze Nwokoma said.
The monarch emphasized that any new autonomous community duly gotten in Umuokanne would not affect his throne or his positions as Head of Security and Conflict Resolutions Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, member Ethnics and Privileges in South East Council of Traditional Rulers and member Police Campaign Against Cultism And Other Vices. Stating that He remains committed to the traditional values and customs of the community.
