Indigenes of Alor in Anambra raise alarm over conflicting New Yam Festival by Igwe impersonator
By Chibuzo Ihegboro
Concerned indigenes of Alor have called on the Anambra State Government to arrest and prosecute Collins Ebele Chukwumesili for parading himself as the traditional ruler of Alor, causing disaffection in the ancient Kingdom.
In interactions with journalists, they pointed out that the convention in Alor – an ancient kingdom in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State – is that traditional rulers are issued a certificate of recognition by the state government as provided under sections 7 and 8 of the Traditional Rulers Law Revised Laws of Anambra State 1991.
They also claimed that His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chinedu Elibe Okonkwo, Ezediohamma III, and not Chukwumesili, was the person elected by the people and accordingly recognised by the Anambra State Government.
According to them, sections 21 and 22 of Anambra State Traditional Rulers’ law give the monarch the right to stipulate the day to celebrate the New Yam festival, a role which they claimed Chukwuemesili has usurped by, not only addressing himself as the Igwe of Alor, but also preparing to celebrate the New Yam festival on August 3, 2024, the same day chosen by the substantive Igwe to celebrate his New Yam festival.
They also accused Chukwumesili of plotting to hire unknown gunmen to destabilise the community.
Meanwhile, Igwe Chinedu Elibe Okonkwo, the substantive Igwe, in a petition dated July 26, 2024, had called on the Commissioner of Police, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and all Anambra stakeholders to intervene in the situation to forestall the breakdown of law and order in the state.
Calls to the phone number of Collins Ebele Chukwumesili for the purpose of him stating his side of the story were unanswered.
