The traditional Institutions (Ndieze) in Igbolans as custodians of the people’s culture, tradition, relics and antiquities, occupy an enviable position in Igboland, and by this, possess the authority and rare opportunity to say the truth, praise anyone who operates within the dictates of his or her mandate, and at the same time reprimand those who are found wanting in their service to the people.
When monetary inducement and lavishing largesse form the heart and ingredient in thing for receiving royal blessing from Ndieze, it is obvious that the traditional authority has been eroded or diluted and like a light feather, would be tossed around according to the whelms and caprices of the harsh harmattan wind.
The unfolding circumstance in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo state, penultimate week, allegedly presented a very bad picture of royal partiality, debasement of royal blessings and unbridled attraction to financial inducement, filthy lucre and banana peels, which negets the dignity and respect bestowed on the royal stool.
The Orlu LGA Council of Traditional Rulers was said to have in an occasion, adopted Senator Hope Uzodinma as the sole candidate for the Orlu Senate seat for the 2015 elections.
The royal fathers allegedly offered prayers and poured libations, giving cold water, washing of the hands and feet of Senator Uzodinma and went further to conjure the wrath of all the gods and goddesses in Orlu LGA to trap and maim anyone who would not support Senator Uzodinma’s second tenure bid.
Senator Uzodinma, according to the spokesperson of Orlu Renaissance, a pro-good governance group, Hon. Obigwe Christopher, is unaccountable to the people of the zone, and has not given any bite in protecting the people of the zone by way of attracting any Federal presence, and when he did, it was for the settlement of party (PDP) members and his immediate family with what was supposed to be for the generality of Orlu people.
The Eze Obiefuna led cold water wash and libation has generated a lot of heat and ill feelings in Orlu zone and Imo Sate, and the Royal fathers have been condemned in very strong terms by the citizens who accused them of condoning evil and praising and wishing a non-performer success in his attempt to re-capture the seat of the senator to enable him enslave the people for yet another four (4) years, and wondered what the N33, 000 largesse received by each of the Ezes could solve for the people of Orlu zone.
The alleged unroyal display of Orlu traditional blessings and libation by the Ezes in Orlu LGA has received some cold shoulders from the Okorocha led Imo State government as well as other traditional rulers from Orlu zone.
However, some of the Ezes from Orlu LGA including Eze Okeke, Chairman Orlu Council of Traditional Rulers and Deputy Chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, have denied adopting Senator Uzodinma as sole candidate for Orlu senate seat, or igniting the gods to kill or main those who would vote against Uzodinma.
There have been opinions that the Ezes in Igbo land, especially in Imo State, have not been using the powers in their traditional stools to the fullest, whereby an Eze (traditional ruler) possesses the boldness and effrontery to speak to condemn evil, rather than dancing to the tune of those who have the capacity to spoil them with inducement.
The Ezes from Orlu zone have on several occasions have been called up to come up only to ask for the recall of any public servant who is not representing the people well. Instead of heeding the call, the Ezes are busy blessing the never-do-wells based on their level of gratifications.
The recent move by the Orlu Renaissance to call the Ezes to order has been commended in many quarters with the state and this too has given most of the Ezes who are always bold to condemn evil, more liverage to speak with aura of traditional authority which will be good for the polity.
Courtesy: Community Watchdog Newspaper
