- * Describes Factional Royal Father, Austin Ndigwe, As An Impostor
By Rose Nwankwu (Anambra State Correspondent)
The controversial reign of Igwe Augustine Chukwuezugo Ndigwe, the factional royal father of Awka, capital of Anambra state, who goes by the traditional title of Eze Uzu 111, finally came to an end, as the Anambra state government, on Saturday, affirmed his predecessor, Igwe Gibson Nwosu, the former Eze Uzu 11, as the authentic traditional ruler of Awka town.
Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo wielded the big stick at the weekend, when a contingent of fiercely armed police detachment sealed up the palace of Austin Ndigwe, popularly known as 'Uzu Awka' on Saturday morning allegedly acting on the 'order from above'. Moments after, the state government issued a formal recognition to Igwe Gibson Nwosu as the only reigning traditional ruler in Awka.
A special announcement by the government, however, warned Ndigwe to stop parading himself as the monarch of Awka kingdom. The warning, as contained in the announcement made available to the media, was signed by the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Paul Nwosu.
Igwe Gibson Nwosu was the traditional ruler of Awka for a good number of years until a rumpus allegedly erupted in the royal family and said to be instigated by Austin Ndigwe family whose patriarch was said to be a former occupier of the royal stool until his death before the kingship rotated to the Nwosu family ruling house of Awka.
NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER gathered that the purported dethronment of the Igwe Gibson Obi Nwosu was allegedly orchestrated by a group of Kingmakers in the Awka traditional council who were allegedly instigated by some powerful royal interests to audaciously hijack the rulership of the Awka traditional kingdom. The said kingmakers allegedly crowned Austin Ndigwe king, with the title, Eze Uzu 111.
The embattled former Awka monarch, Chief Augustine Ndigwe, a younger brother of an Abuja based prominent female Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) politician and former AMAC (Abuja Municipal Area Council) Chairman, Princess (Dr) Vivian Ndigwe-Anazodo, is also an Abuja based businessman. They are part of the historical Awka royal lineage.
The official announcement on Saturday, September 10, 2022 by the Anambra state government proclaiming the return of Igwe Gibson Nwosu to his throne and the official removal of Austin Ndigwe as the Awka traditional ruler, stated thus:
“It has come to the attention of Anambra State Government that one Augustin Chukwuezugo Ndigwe alias Uzu Awka is still parading himself as the authentic traditional ruler of Awka. Not only that, he is also taking steps to perform one of the major harvest season’s traditional rites known as New Yam Festival or “Iwa ji” of the Awka people, thereby threatening the peace and tranquility of the town. The State Government will not tolerate this.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the State Government wishes to state emphatically that the only recognized Traditional Ruler of Awka is His Royal Highness, Igwe Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II of Awka whose recognition by the State Government has not been withdrawn and he is the only one empowered by section 15 of the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State 2007 to preside over such festivals or carry out any of the functions of a traditional ruler in Awka. It is a criminal offence for any other person to do so by virtue of section 20 of the Traditional Rulers Law of Anambra State 2007
“The said Augustine Ndigwe is not the recognized Traditional ruler of Awka and should henceforth desist from parading and portraying himself as the Traditional Ruler of Awka or attempting to usurp the rights of the legitimate and duly recognized Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Igwe Obi Gibson Nwosu.
"Any such unlawful act in any part of Anambra State would not be condoned by the Anambra State Government, and the State will not hesitate to sanction the impostor according to the relevant laws of Anambra State.” NNL.
