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By Madu Obi
THE chieftaincy crisis rocking Alor, Idemili South local government area of Anambra State is still raging as the community's citizens residing in Lagos have thrown their weight behind the embattled traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Mac-Anthony Okonkwo.
They urged those challenging his authority to see reason and embrace peace in the community to make room for meaningful development.
This came as the council to Igwe Okonkwo, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, faulted the letter from the office of the Attorney General of Anambra State, asking the Royal Father not to perform this year's New Yam festival in his domain, when the Igwe had performed the function since August 5th, 2023.
Chairman of Alor Concerned Citizens, Lagos, Chief Chuka Uzodike, in a statement, said what the community requires now is peace, and urged those opposing the Igwe to sheath their sword.
He observed that Igwe Okonkwo is a young man who is loved by his people and wondered why a few individuals in the community should be fighting someone who has been on the throne for almost 10 years.
Uzodike said: "Let us choose brotherly love over division and let us work together to create a community that is stronger and more unified than ever before. Alor community deserves better than division and deceit, and this call to action sets a positive tone for a brighter future.
"We must also make it very clear that despite the malicious actions of a few people, we remain steadfast in our support for our beloved monarch, Igwe Mac-Anthony Okonkwo, whose tireless efforts to promote peace and unity have been an inspiration to us all.
"As he approaches his 10th anniversary on the throne, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to his leadership and to the values he embodies."
"His courage, wisdom, and dedication to the community are a shining example for us all, and we pledge to stand with him now and in the future."
"This is a rallying cry for unity, for everyone to come together and support the monarch, recognizing that ultimately, God is the one who puts leaders in place and gives them the strength to lead".
Meanwhile, in a letter to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Anambra State, council to Igwe Okonkwo and some Alor citizens in a pending appeal case No. CA/AW/95/2022, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, faulted a memo from her office, directing the Igwe not to conduct or superintend over the community's New Yam festival on Saturday, 5th of August, 2923 to avoid breakdown of law and order in the town, when the ceremony had since been performed.
Ikpeazu said: "It is pertinent to underscore the point that none of the governor, government or any agency or parastatal of Anambra State, is a party to the suit in question in which the trial court nullified a recognition of Igwe Mac-Anthony Okonkwo made by the governor/ government of Anambra State. Yet the letter emanating from the same government, issued directives restraining the Igwe in the appeal in a matter that is still pending before the court.
"The restraining and declaratory orders clearly stand in contest with the authority of the court by issuing directives over a matter that is yet to be decided by the Court of Appeal. This is not right.
"We implore the learned Honourable Attorney General to address the issues raised in the correspondence, with a view to correcting the impressions that had been, perhaps, erroneously created by the letter of 22nd August, 2023.
"By so doing, the integrity of the court and its processes would have been maintained by the government and particularly, the office of the Honourable Attorney General."
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