By Jude Atupulazi
The hottest topic in Anambra at the moment is not insecurity. It has been there for long now and is gradually becoming a part of our consciousness. Rather, what is occupying the front burner in the conversation is the ongoing controversy sparked off by Gov Chukwuma Soludo’s riot act to traditional Rulers in the state, over what they should do and not do.
In case you have forgotten, the raging saga was triggered by the threat by Soludo to withdraw the certificate of the traditional ruler of Neni in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, after the Igwe conferred a chieftaincy title on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who, incidentally, has not hidden his desire to replace Soludo as governor come next year.
Although Soludo based his action against the Neni Traditional Ruler on the latter’s flouting of the existing Anambra State Traditional Rulers Code of Conduct, not many are fooled by that action. Why? The code of conduct has been there for some time, even before Soludo became governor.
Since Soludo became governor, almost two years now, traditional rulers have been conferring titles on people without anything being said. And it is plausible that had Ubah not shown inclinations of gunning for Soludo’s seat, Soludo would not have come up with this code of conduct. This is why many are not sold on the government’s reasons for clamping down on Igwe Neni.
Of course, such an action would not be taken without it being interpreted in many ways by the public and the article below is one of them written by Sunny Igboanugo which I stumbled into and want to share with you. Read it and let’s continue.
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Whimsical Soludo versus Whimpering Anambra monarch!
A royal father in Anambra State once celebrated ofala. At the heat of the event he began flinging wads of crisp N20 notes – the highest denomination at that time – in the air from atop his mansion.
As his subjects and other onlookers were scrambling for the largesse, one of the notes flew and fell at the feet of one of the traditional rulers at the special canopy they were seated.
Instead of ignoring the money, the “monarch” after taking a cautious look sideways, covered the money with his feet with the intention of picking it up for himself. Mind you, at this time N20 was more than the salary of an average civil servant.
But unbeknownst to the greedy monarch and unluckily too, he didn’t know that his action was noticed by no less a person than the late Igwe Angus Ilonze of Abagana, a most dreaded and arguably one of the most influential monarchs not only in Anambra, but that ever ruled anywhere in the entire Igbo Land.
Extremely rich himself, highly connected across Nigeria and with exuding power, authority and confidence, he approached his colleague, delivered a well-aimed blinding slap that calibrated his brain to the reality before rebuking him for the obvious individual and collective insult.
“A fellow Igwe is spraying money for the masses and you couldn’t resist the urge to join in picking? When they call out Igwes and Angus comes out you’ll also come out! Me Igwe, you, Igwe!” With these words, he ordered the offending colleague out of the assemblage!
This story which went viral across Igbo Land at that time, actually left one of the clear requirements of being an Igwe – there’s a level you must not descend!
Do you remember the encounter of the late Eze Onumaraku Njemanze, Ozurigbo the fourth of Owerri, another influential monarch from Imo State with Amadi Ikwueche, a Navy Commander, who was military governor of the state at the time?
Have you forgotten the famous Ikwueche nakwa echeki? Do you remember that immediately after that encounter of reeling out reasons for his discontent with the governor, he was pulled out of the state by IBB?
Why do I recall these two events? It’s just to state that there was a time Ndigbo had monarchs in Igbo Land – powerful monarchs that made things happen.
Juxtapose that with the listless, pale, trembling cowards we have now, occupying those positions across the land of Ndigbo!
I could just imagine that an Angus Ilonze gave somebody title and a Soludo of a governor making as much as a whimper, not to talk about writing him or suspending him. Where would the governor sleep after the suspension? How would he sleep?
In the first place, the place of an Igwe is more secure than the governor’s. His is for life while the governor’s is temporary. Traditional rulers are not installed by a governor but by the people.
How then could a monarch in good stead with his people be afraid of a governor, an outsider whose only duty is recognition that really accounts for nothing in the real sense? How long would Soludo stay in office? Indeed, if Igwe Ezeani (of Neni) is worth his throne and on ground as monarchs are supposed to be, who needs each other between him and Soludo? Who would soon be going around begging for votes?
But then, it shows the quality of people we have on the throne – people who probably assumed the position without any inkling of what it entails or possessing the right tools for it.
Ask Anthony Onyearugbulam if he’s still alive what he saw when he tried (such with) the Oba of Benin! Ask those who know the story of what Anthony Ochefu or Atom Kpera saw in the hands of Tor Tiv!
Yet, these were even military men! When Sowore took his activism to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, didn’t you see the immediate consequences? Didn’t he run out from the palace with his legs touching the back of his head?
Igwe is not by mouth. Na levels! Imagine such whimsical act of Soludo on Igwe Angus? Just imagine! Chai!!! Ariri egbuo m! – The Tiny Voice!
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Nice submission by Igboanugo but I also add that the late Igwe Angus is one example; what about the late Osita Agwuna of Enugwu Ukwu? That one was Alusi himself. You never saw him at the government house or any government event. He would tell you to come to his palace if you needed him. Even when presidents visited, he would stay back home and sometimes those presidents would even visit him.
Today our royal fathers have become too servile to government and even rich folks. In some cases some Igwes beg rich men to allow them to give them titles. Questions are no longer asked of one’s background and that’s why all manner of charlatans are titled men today. Kids wear red caps everywhere without questions asked. It’s because the traditional institution has been cheapened and lost its respect. It’s like the case of a masquerade that has been unmasked.
But what can one expect when yahoo boys are now Igwes and titled men?
It is obvious that it is because of the attitude of the Igwes that government has been emboldened to dictate to them. Yes, there may be laws or codes of conduct, but the traditional institution should not be subjected to such. It should be an almost independent arm which should be left to the various communities to determine how they choose their Igwes as in old times. Is it not clear that the traditional rulers of yore, completely chosen by their people, had more reverence, aura and respect than those of today that the government interferes with their emergence?
I’ve always condemned this idea of always inviting the traditional rulers to government events and giving them transport money afterwards. I’m also against the payment of stipends to traditional rulers. He who pays the piper, it is said, dictates the tune. If we want the traditional rulers to be respected, government should distance itself from them. Let the communities decide the propriety or otherwise of the conferment of titles to individuals. That should be done through the cabinet chiefs who in turn should be chosen or endorsed by their people.
My worry is that if things are allowed to go the way they are going, very soon traditional rulers will be asked to seek clearance before they marry second wives should they choose to and that will further demean the institution.
I’m not saying that Soludo was wrong in warning traditional rulers to stick to the code of conduct; no. but the issue is that many see it as rather political, being that the person who got conferred with the title is a potential opponent in the coming guber election. And because of that, a royal father had been humiliated.
I’m therefore making a case for the traditional institution, not just in Igbo Land, but in Nigeria. Government – both states and federal, should steer clear from doing anything that will seem like manipulating them.
The institution should not be politicized or dragged into politics. Traditional rulers should stop gracing political events, donating money to candidates/parties or campaigning for parties. Once they involve themselves in that, they are leaving themselves open to a sucker punch from the government tomorrow. They will also be losing their respect by the public.
Traditional rulers should be fathers of all and should therefore refrain from acts capable of being interpreted as favouritism. They should also be mindful of those they confer titles on. Basing the conferment of such titles on money is indeed horrible and that’s why many fraudsters are now titled men in many communities.
There should also be an age limit for anyone to be made a titled chief. These days you see young boys who don’t understand the meaning of the red caps they wear answering chiefs, just because they have enough money to buy the titles. Indeed, titles should be given purely on merit once one attains maturity.
You cannot answer ”Akuluouno” when your wealth has not affected your people at home. You cannot answer ” Ochendo” when you have not built a house for that poor widow living in a mud house. You cannot also answer ”Ochiliozua” when you have trained no child in either business or in school.
It is the abuse of such titles that is inviting contempt for the traditional institution and leaving it open to attack.
But in all, let the government mind its business of governance and let the traditional institution perform its traditional role of custodians of our culture. Any law by government that appears to shackle the traditional institution will always cause problems as we are seeing now.
After all, the same traditional rulers who are told they should not be involved in politics will still be visited during campaigns to seek their endorsement. How many have been sacked for endorsing candidates who are in power?
Sometimes, it is good to let sleeping dogs lie and that’s what Soludo should have done in this latest case. Even if Ubah takes all the titles in Anambra that’s no guarantee that he will be a match to Soludo. I’ve not seen where titles have won elections.
What we have just seen has been a needless war, a distraction to both the government and the governed. It could all have been avoided.
