Palpable controversy has trailed the recent appointment of 51 new traditional rulers by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo.
It will be recalled that Uzodimma issued Staffs of Office to four newly appointed traditional rulers in the state on Friday, Feb. 4.
Among them was Mr Bon Ariri of Uratta autonomous community, Owerri North Local Council Area of the state.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday, the traditional ruler of Uratta Ancient Clan in Owerri North council area of the state, His Royal Majesty, Eze Amobi Uwaleke described as “bizarre”, reports on social media indicating that he had been deposed.
Uwaleke, a Professor of Information and Communication Technology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, said that he had not been communicated by the state government of his rumoured dethronement and replacement.
He added that the staff of office and letter of recognition which serve as fundamental elements of authority which were issued him by the state government upon his installation as traditional ruler in August 2018 were still in his possession.
He described as “baseless” the social media reports suggestions his deposition and called on the media to investigate the reports with a view to rightly informing members of the public.
” My people persuaded me to accept the kingship in year 2018 and after I agreed, the Oha Uratta Supreme Council (kingmakers) crowned me and I received a staff of Office and letter of recognition from government which I still have till date.
” A traditional ruler can be dethroned after being tried and found guilty of violation of laws by a committee set up by government but in this instance, our people woke up on Friday and heard that there was a new traditional ruler.
” As an academic, I respect the rule of law and since I have not been communicated by government, I call on notable stakeholders to investigate this development with a view to ascertaining the truth”, he said.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba said that the state government did not dethrone any serving traditional ruler.
” Staffs of Office were assigned to newly installed traditional rulers but no serving traditional ruler was dethroned”, he said.
