The Media Team of Engr Eberechukwu Oji Eze Aro Project has slammed critics claiming that Engr Oji is the one that masterminded the travails of Godwin Kanu Idei.

Recall that Mazi Idei was arrested last Friday by men of the Nigerian Police, and is yet to be released.

In a Public Statement signed by the Media Team, it reminded the critics of the directive of Abia State Government on the Eze Aro debacle, and how Idei had flouted every single directive, which it said, could be responsible for the actions of the Police.

The statement is reproduced in whole below:

PRESS RELEASE:

Eberechukwu Oji has no hand in Godwin Idei's travails, he brought it upon himself

Following the arrest and detention of Mazi Godwin Idei by the Nigerian Police on Friday, 5th January 2024, there has been talks in certain quarters accusing Engr Eberechukwu Oji as the person that masterminded the arrest.

Nothing can be further from the truth.

Mr Godwin Idei's actions, as against the directive of the Abia State Government led to his arrest. For the avoidance of doubt, below are details of his actions that led to the action of the Police:

1. Mazi Godwin Idei became a clog in the wheel of progress, when he suddenly connived with Eze Ibom Isii to declare himself Eze Aro. Recall that Eberechukwus Oji emerged the Eze Aro of Arochukwu after the Okennachi kindred conducted the selection process. Whereas Godwin Idei participated in the process and lost, he went about deceiving umu Aro that he is the legitimate king, even though he knew he is just an Impostor.

2. After the State Government instructed all parties involved in the Eze Aro impasse to suspend every activity until it concludes investigations, Mazi Idei continued to present himself in public events as the Eze Aro. The instructions given by the State Government include - any coronation exercise, or thanksgiving, as were earlier planned by both parties should be suspended, no one should present himself as the Eze Aro until the government concludes its investigations and makes public its findings and the way forward, etc.

Godwin Idei, contrary to these instructions, garbs himself in royal regalia, and goes about saying that he is Eze Aro. He had continued to attend public functions and ceremonies where he had usually been introduced, addressed, and regarded as the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, even though issues concerning the matter are yet to be concluded.

3. Godwin Idei, on December 27th, was at Ugbo village in Arochukwu to impose himself on the citizens, pretending to be Eze Aro, at the coronation of Eze Ogo Ugbo. There, he was presented, addressed and regarded as the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, which he is not.

4. On December 29th, 2023, Godwin Idei blatantly defied the government directive, ignored law enforcement officers and took his false claims to a higher level when he held a public event to inform umu Aro that he is their new king.

This was the very event he was directed not to hold till the end of the investigations. At Amaikpe grounds, he held his so-called crowning and public reception as the Eze Aro of Arochukwu. After the event, he marched with his supporters, including the suspended Eze Ibom Isii and Eze Okwara Agwu, while he was addressed as Eze Aro to his glee.

Be aware that he has been urging umu Aro to visit him to pay homage as the king and Eze.

5. Then on January 1, 2024, Godwin Idei made a public broadcast through what he addressed as a New Year message to the people of Arochukwu. In that message, the Impostor once again claimed to be the Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, addressing Arochukwu people as his subjects.

6. On January 4th, he hosted some of his supporters in his house, where he again presented himself as Eze Aro,

Information has it that Godwin Idei had earlier been invited by the Police over these developments three times, but he had refused to honour the invitations. Neither has he at any time, presented any reason why he rejected the invitations.

We do not know why the Police arrested and detained him, but having analysed his dissident actions, one can only suspect that his activities attracted the law enforcers.

Disobeying Government directive on matters that directly concern the Government does not show prudence, for a man who desires to hold power over a people.

All issues regarding the kingship or chieftaincy of any community falls under the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and as such, under the purview of government. Every traditional ruler is bound by the Nigerian Constitution and State Laws and no traditional stool is complete without the consent of the Government.

As a matter of fact, before one becomes a bona fide traditional ruler, the state government will present the staff of office as its affirmation that the monarch is official and recognised.

This is so across the country, be he the Emir, Sultan, Oba, Obi, Obong, Olu or Eze. The case of Arochukwu cannot be different and anyone who desires to hold any exalted position as the traditional ruler of a community must comply with Government directives.

This, Godwin Idei failed woefully to do, and has shown vigorous signs of confrontation against the Abia State Government.

All these has nothing to do with Engr Eberechukwu Oji, who actually emerged Eze Aro at the selection process.

Eberechukwu Oji had also been preparing for his coronation ceremony which was billed to take place on December 26. But the directive of the Abia State Government halted all that, as hurtful as it may be. The engineer had, since the directive, suspended every activity regarding the Eze Aro Project.

He had also complied with other instructions of the government, and honoured invitations.

Therefore, it will be mischievous for anyone to accuse him of conspiring to have Mr Idei arrested when it is evidently clear that the gentleman refused to be a gentleman and is now on the wrong side of the law.

These are bare-faced facts. Facts are sacred.

Thanks for your time.

Signed,

Media Team

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