By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The decade-long chieftaincy tussle in the ancient Awka Kingdom appears to have been laid to rest following the formal denouncement by Ozo Austin Ndigwe of claims linking him to the title of Eze Uzu III of the community.
Recall that Ndigwe had previously been accused of parading himself as the Eze Uzu III of Awka Kingdom. However, the Anambra State Government constituted a panel of inquiry into the dispute, chaired by retired Justice Paul Obidigwe, which concluded in its report that Ndigwe is not the traditional ruler of the town.
Recent reports circulating on social media alleged that Ndigwe had announced activities leading to the Egwu Imo-Awka festival, during which he reportedly addressed himself as Eze Uzu III of Awka.
However, in a letter bearing the letterhead “Aka Ji Ofor Awka,” Ndigwe dismissed the reports, insisting that he is not the Eze Uzu of Awka and that the social media account in question is not his.
The letter, titled “Rebuttal and Disclaimer of Alleged Publications,” reads in part:
“My attention has been drawn to publications currently in circulation portraying me as parading myself as the Traditional Ruler of Awka in defiance of the position held by the Government of Anambra State regarding the rulership of Awka town.
“I wish to categorically state that I do not operate the social media outlets which falsely presented these publications in my name, nor have I taken any legal steps contrary to the position of the Anambra State Government.
“A forensic examination of the videos will reveal that the individuals involved are law enforcement officers who are no longer serving in Anambra State.
“I urge the general public to disregard these publications, as they were made in bad faith and are clearly designed to implicate me.”
Confirming the development, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Charles Soludo on New Media, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, stated:
“Chief Austin Ndigwe has formally denounced claims that he is still parading himself as the ‘Eze Uzu III’ of Awka.
“In a letter personally signed and submitted to the Governor of Anambra State and the Attorney General, Ndigwe distanced himself from viral social media posts linking him to the Awka throne.
“He described the reports as the handiwork of mischief makers and stated that he never authorized any such publication. ‘Such information seeks to implicate me… they are made in utmost bad faith,’ he wrote.
“Ndigwe affirmed his respect for the government’s White Paper from the Commission of Inquiry on the Awka kingship dispute and reiterated his commitment to peace and stability in the ancient kingdom.”
Attempts to reach Ndigwe for further comments were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls. However, one of his sympathizers, Mr. Benji Okolo, declined to comment, stating that he was not in a position to speak on the matter and advised journalists to seek clarification from the Anambra State Government.
Also speaking, Prof. Austin U. Nonyelu, Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 90th birthday of Eze Uzu II, Obi Gibson Nwosu, said:
“I just heard about it this morning and made inquiries to verify the authenticity of the report. I was informed by my source that it emanated from Uzu Awka himself.”
