By Tony Okafor
The Awka Ozo title holders have expressed support for the panel set up by the Anambra State Government recognising Chief Gibson Nwosu as the traditional ruler of Awka.
The group made its position known on Saturday during a meeting in Awka, speaking through its President, Ozo James Chukwujekwu Eze, who said the body is awaiting the release of the government’s White Paper before formally declaring full solidarity with the decision.
According to him, the Ozo society cannot afford to work at cross purposes with a constituted authority, stressing that the group remains united and indivisible and will align fully with the government once the White Paper on the Awka monarch issue is released.
“As of now, we have not seen the White Paper on the issue. When a panel submits its report, the government is expected to gazette it and issue a White Paper accordingly. Once that is done, we will definitely align with the government.
” It is not in our character to fight the government. When the White Paper is published, we will abide by it,” he said.
Eze described the prolonged dispute over the Awka stool as unfortunate, noting that what began as a child’s play had escalated into a major conflict.
He, however, assured that the Ozo society, as a peaceful organisation, would continue to work towards restoring peace in the community.
After weeks of sittings, during which 32 memoranda were received and 28 oral testimonies heard, the panel of inquiry set up to investigate the Awka traditional stool dispute submitted its report to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the panel, retired Justice Paul Obidigwe, stated that Chief Gibson Nwosu was not lawfully dethroned, as there were no valid grounds for his removal and he was denied a fair hearing. He declared the action unlawful, invalid and of no legal effect.
The panel also found that Chief Austin Ndigwe, a claimant to the stool, was not lawfully selected, describing his emergence as a violation of due process and statutory provisions.
Receiving the report, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said the government would study its recommendations and issue a White Paper accordingly.
He recalled that the state government initially allowed the Awka community to resolve the matter internally but had to intervene after being invited to do so.
Governor Soludo stressed the importance of law and order, stating that no community in Anambra State would be allowed to have more than one traditional ruler, and added that in resolving the dispute, “there is no victor and no vanquished.”
