There is tension in Iji Nike community in Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State over moves by the traditional ruler, Igwe Julius Nnaji, to replace the President General and Chairman of Ikwu Ekpe, the community masquerade, Chief Chukwuemeka Anike.
Nnaji had announced another individual as PG and chairman of the community masqurade without the consent of the elders and against the wish of majority of the member of the community.
Speaking on how he was allegedly removed, Chukwuemeka Anike said the action of the traditional was null and void since he did not sustain the power to remove him singlehandedly.
He explained that if he had committed some infractions against the traditional of the land, the traditional ruler, with elders would have invited him to defend himself, after which if he fails to defend himself, he can be removed.
He said that he has not committed any offence either against any individual or the custom of the land deserving of his removal, adding that the traditional ruler decided to announce his remove in order to cause crisis in the community.
He called on the state governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Inspector General of Police, Director of Department of State Services and other security agencies to come to their aid before the crisis Igwe Nnaji is instigating in the community escalates and consumes the community.
“I just want to let the general public know that some group of people led by Igwe Julius Nnaji are trying to cause crisis in Iji Nike community. Iji is made up of Umuchigbo and Umu Enwene communities and I am President General and chairman of Ikwu Ekpe masquerade.
“I was sworn in as PG by Igwe Nnaji at the premises of the eldest man in the community, Elder Dominic Okorie-Ifenze in 2021, barely 2 years ago, for a five year tenure. The Igwe decided on his own to remove me.
“I never committed any crime for which I should be removed. Let the Igwe tell the elders my offence. Let him tell the entire community what I have done. There are well known politicians who are behind the action of the Igwe. They want someone they can control. Someone who they will use to perpetrate evil in the community. I am not like that and that is why they want me gone by all means.
“I am calling on the Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who has resolved this kind of crisis in in Iji Nike Community to come to our aid. The IGP and Director of DSS and other security agencies should come to our aid because the Igwe is instigating violence in a community. I have been holding the youths back but I am tired of stopping them.
Speaking to journalists in his residence, the eldest man in Iji Nike community, Elder Dominic Okorie-Ifenze said that the action of the traditional ruler was against the custom of the community.
He said that the traditional ruler acknowledged his fault when he was summoned by the elders but has refused to come back to the palace to clarify the elders on the allegations leveled against the PG.
“What the Igwe did was not in line with our custom and tradition. It’s illegal and cannot stand. He did it without the consultation of elders. We have processes to install PG and chairman of Ikwu Ekpe masquerade.
“We summoned him and after everything he accepted his fault but refused to come back on the day we scheduled to meet. The elders and the Chairman of Ekpe masquerade were at the meeting but the Igwe failed to show up. So as far as I am concerned, Chukwuemeka Anike is still the Chairman of Ikwu Ekpe.
Reacting, Igwe Nnaji said that it was within his powers to superintendent over the community as the custodian of culture, adding that he does not need the approval of the elders to remove anyone who has become a threat to the culture of the community.
He alleged that members of the community had submitted several reports against the chairman of Ikwu Ekpe masquerade and he decided to remove him and install another individual who was chosen by the community.
He said: “In the Enugu state traditional rulers law, it was spelt out the duties of traditional rulers and it is my duty to ensure that nothing goes wrong in our community. I removed him because of several offences he committed and his removal stands. I do not need the approval of the elders. I have raised the hand of another individual and that is final.”
