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Raymond Ozoji, Awka
After His Royal Highness, Igwe Cosmas Okechukwu Oluoha the 16th of Ihiala great kingdom in Anambra state joined his ancestors, the choice of who would take over the traditional stool of Ihiala became another interesting tale. But the gods and ancestors of the land were benevolent enough to spot Ichie Thomas Ikenna Obidiegwu who among other contestants was chosen as the traditional ruler and clan head of Ihiala town. This came to fruition when Governor Willie Obiano issued him certificate of recognition and staff of office as the Igwe and custodian of Ihiala customs and tradition. But events took a dramatic turn when one of the contenders to the throne in the person of Chief Azuka Alagwu expressed reservations over the possibility of Ichie Thomas Ikenna Obidiegwu becoming the Oluoha of Ihiala. Thus two brothers of the same kindred fell out over the throne of Ihiala great kingdom.
However, our correspondent had an interview with Igwe Thomas Obidiegwu in his palace at Umunnebuogwu village Okohia Ihiala local government area of Anambra state.
He said, “The selection of the potential Oluoha started in 2017. At first, we were six aspirants. Later on it was reduced to three. We are three sub-families. I am from one of the families. My opponent Azuka Alagwu and the third person is from Nzagwu. So we entered the screening and we were screened. And at the end of it, I emerged as the best candidate and presented to the Opara of this community who then presented me to the other five Oparas. It is the exclusive right of the Opara of this community to present the best of his aspirants. There was no dispute about my own emergence.
“Whoever that claims he is the best should come and tell Umunnebogwu because Umunnebogwu has taken decision based on our records. We have an 18-man screening committee that screened three of us and it took them about four months to arrive at the conclusion because they were mandated by the Oparas and Umunnebogwu community for them to screen three of us and at the end of the day, they arrived at the result that made me the best candidate. The other aspirant who ranked third in the exercise has gone back to the United States of America and expressed deep satisfaction over the whole process. So whoever that wants to claim that he is the right person should come and tell Umunnebuogwu and the Oparas whose exclusive rights it is to pick the best out of the three of us. Mind you, it took the Anambra state government almost a year to arrive at what happened. At the end of it, government set up a committee to look into the Dioha kingship tussle. All of us went for public hearing and everything was done in the open. It was not a hidden something.
“My opponent is free to do whatever he likes but like I said, Umunnebuogwu has given their own verdict. The government through the committee they set up, has given their verdict. So I don’t know what else he wants. I am known in this community as a peaceful person. Everybody in this community will attest to my peaceful nature. I have never had problems with anybody irrespective of good gestures and benevolence to everybody. Even Azuka Alagwu can attest to the fact that I’m a big brother to him. I have shown him what it means to be a big brother.
“I am not a politician and I don’t know how to say one thing today and tomorrow I say another thing. I have extended hand of friendship to all of them. I am preaching peace and unity so that Ihiala can move forward. For me, this is an inclusive government. There is no winner and there is no loser! All of us are one. So let’s come together to rebuild Ihiala.”
Obidiegwu who had spent 33 years of meritorious service with Chevron Oil Company, said he had been involved in philanthropy and community development services in Ihiala and his immediate community Okohia where he has influenced infrastructure like rural roads, rural electrification projects, education and a host of other philanthropic services. Though he said he is not a money-bag, he has deployed his resources to the upliftment of his people. The traditional ruler further maintained that his reign would enthrone lasting peace in Ihiala.
According to him, rotation has been the age-long process of producing the Oluoha of Ihiala and that his predecessor, the late Dr. Cosmas Okechukwu, was a product of the kingship rotational process. Again Ichie Thomas Ikenna Obidiegwu alluded to page 44 section 88 of the Smith Commission of 1963 regarding kingship issues in Ihiala from whence he noted Ihiala came up with a constitution and code of conducting Oluoha Ihiala in 1977. He therefore explained that just recently, Paul Odenigbo Panel Report on Chieftaincy Crisis in Ihiala came into being. According to him, the report looked into the chieftancy imbroglio in Ihiala and saw that the weight of evidence was in his favour and thereafter Governor Willie Obiano in all honesty and good conscience, believing in equity and justice bestowed him certification of recognition as Oluoha the 17th of Ihiala great kingdom. So I am the Oluoha of Ihiala and my reign will foster peace and love to all and sundry even though he said that despite all entreaties to calm frayed nerves, his brother Azuka Alagwu has gone to court to challenge his emergence and subsequent coronation as Oluoha of Ihiala irrespective of the fact that his selection process was clear as well as endorsed by Dioha royal family and the entire Ihiala community.
