By TINA TIMOTHY

Arochukwu kingmakers, known as the Okennachi kindred, have described the election of Prince Eberechukwu Oji as Eze Aro as final and irrevocable. They made the declaration in a communique signed by Mazi Chima Dike, Chairman, Communique Drafting Committee (CDC); Mazi Ernest Onwumere, Secretary, CDC; Hon Nkem Okoro, Chairman, Home Branch; Dr. Henry Onyeador, Coordinator, Diaspora; and Mazi Udo Chijioke, President General, Okennachi Kindred.

The communique presented at a media briefing in Arochukwu on Thursday, January 11, 2024, addressed by the President General, Okennachi Kindred, Mazi Chijioke, dismissed the claim of Prince Goddy Idei to the revered Aro throne. The communiqué reads in part:

“The Okennachi Kindred after extensive deliberations and review of Aro traditional statuses states as follows:

“That there is only one kingdom in Arochukwuand the head of the kingdom is the Eze Aro.

“There are three kindred units that make up Arochukwu Kingdom. These kindred units are Okennachi, Ibom Isii and Eze Agwu n’Okwaragwu, and each has a kindred head, while the Eze Aro comes from the Okennachi kindred, the other two kindreds of Ibom Isii and Eze Agwu n’Okwaragwu are headed by Eze Ibom Isii and Eze Eze-Agwu.

“That in Arochukwu tradition, custom and practice over the centuries, and recent consentjudgement of Abia State High Court, on 26 October, 2015,each kindred/village select its Eze/Eze-Ogo without outside interference of any kindred head or village head.

“That Eze Ibom Isii's action in crowning an imposter is a traditional interference in Okennachi Kindred affairs, a breach of the Aro kingdom forebears' covenant, an abomination that must be remediated through necessary atonement and cleansing.

“That Prince Eberechukwu Oji and Prince Goddy Idei, sequel to their nomination by their respective family units of Nde Oke, Oror, agreed to submit themselves to be evaluated and voluntarily participated in the selection process. Both pledged to support whoever emerged winner and consummated the covenant with a traditional libation conducted at “Ukwu Ovo” Arochukwu's ancestral holy place by the eldest of the royal family, Prince Oji Kanu Oji.

“That the selection of Prince Eberechukwu Oji as the Eze Aro, on 18 October 2023 as conducted by a panel of Seven Okennachi Kindred Eze Aro committee with a verdict of 5 to 2 in favour of Prince Eberechukwu Oji, followedthe traditional process and endorsed by the three Otusi that make-up Okennachi is final and irrevocable thus, cannot be revisited or reopened under any disguise.

“On the issue of the father being alive, it is noted that the older Princes in line of succession to Eze Aro's throne in compliance with global cultural realities waived their right to the throne and blessed the younger princes to take their slot. And when an heir voluntarily relinquishes his right it can be conferred on any beneficiary without blemish.

“That the tenure of Arianzu Arochukwu by the emergence of Eze Aro designate on 18 October 2023 has ended and ceases to exist and The Head of the Royal family and Okwara Ezi, Mazi Prince Oji Kanu Oji (or the Eze Aro designate, as he permits), shallimmediately assume all roles pending the release of Abia State Government Investigation Panel report.

“That we endorse in totality all the actions of the leadership of Okennachi kindred towards this cause and pledge our loyalty and unflinching support toensure the realization of a united Arochukwu kingdom based on equity, justice and fairness amongst the constituents. This endorsement and confidence in the Okennachi leadership is further strengthened by the overwhelming majority vote of the delegates to uphold the process that produced Prince Eberechukwu Oji as the Eze Aro Designate.

“That Okennachi kindred is poised and committed to uphold the ancient covenants by our forebears as well as the rights and privileges of other kindred and institutions of governance in our domain, so appeal to Nzuko Arochukwu, Umu Aro, and all the kindred to come together so that we can build a new path of harmony, prosperity, and renaissance for our kingdom. We believe that we can begin a new chapter in the glorious story of Arochukwu Kingdom.

“That Okennachi Kindred detest in its entirety every action by individuals or groups motivated by political considerations and would take actions as appropriate to insulate the Eze Aro throne from partisan interests and considerations which do not augur well for the stability and wholesome development of Arochukwu Kingdom.

“That a petition be sent to the Abia State Government to stop the parade of any imposter as Eze Aro.

“That we pledge our loyalty to the Abia State Government and AbiaState Panel of Inquiry on Eze Aro matter and supports any due process to unravel the conspiracy leading to the parade of an imposter as Eze Aro.”