By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Awka, the ancient capital of Anambra State, is currently experiencing heightened tension following the defiance of Ozo Austin Ndigwe to a government directive ordering him to stop parading himself as Eze Uzu III of Awka Kingdom.
Ndigwe, accompanied by a convoy of police officers on dispatch riders and some titled men of Awka, drove through several streets in the town before attending a memorial service for the parents of Chukwukadibia Obiakor.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, Ndigwe was seen moving in a convoy while supporters hailed and praised him as “Ezeuzu III” of Awka Kingdom.
A statement shared on his Facebook page read:
“His Imperial Majesty, Obi Dr. Chukwuezugo Austin Ndigwe, MON, JP, Ezeuzu III of Awka Ancient Kingdom, felicitated with Lt. Gen. Chukwukadibia Obiakor at the memorial service of their parents, held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Umudioka Village, Awka.
At the same time, Obi Ezeuzu Awka paid a condolence visit to one of his cabinet chiefs, Akadiana n’Amikwo Awka, over the death of his wife, and also visited his former cabinet chief member (Akwudolueze) of Otochali Achalla-Orji Village, Nkwelle Awka.
Long live Ezeuzu Awka III.
Long live Awka Naso Enwe.
Long live Anambra State.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed,
Ezeuzu-in-Council.”
However, the Anambra State Government had earlier declared that Obi Gibson Nwosu is the authentic traditional ruler of Awka town and directed Ndigwe to cease parading himself as monarch.
The directive was conveyed in a White Paper presented to the Awka Town Union by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tochukwu Nweke, acting on behalf of the state authorities.
The document clarified the succession framework of the Awka Kingdom, stating that after the reigns of Ezeuzu I from the Ifite section and Ezeuzu II from the Ezi section, subsequent rulers are to emerge in order of seniority from designated quarters, including Nkwelle, Amachalla na Ato, Agulu, and Ifite Awka.
According to the government, Ndigwe is not the traditional ruler of Awka, and his claim to the Ezeuzu stool is unlawful.
The White Paper is widely seen as a decisive move to end years of dispute over the revered stool, providing legal and administrative clarity to the traditional leadership structure in Awka.
Governor Charles Soludo had on several occasions warned Ndigwe to desist from parading himself as monarch, without success.
This led to the constitution of the Justice Paul Obidigwe Panel to investigate the matter, which ultimately affirmed Nwosu as the authentic traditional ruler.
The government’s White Paper now stands as the final authority on the issue, serving as a definitive directive to Ndigwe to cease further claims to the throne.
