The clamour for the return of HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Obi of Obinugwu and Chairman, Igbo Traditional Rulers Forum, as Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, has gotten the backing of the Njemanze royal family. The family contends that such development would begin the end of tyranny and impunity in Imo.
Prince Bob Njemanze, who conveyed the position of the Njemanze Royal Family, stressed that the decisions of several courts in Nigeria including the Supreme Court on Eze Ilomuanya’s reinstatement, cannot be compromised or over looked by the present administration in the State. This, he said, is to sustain the people’s confidence and trust that Governor Ihedioha would do whatever he promises.
He argued that before the unlawful termination of Eze Ilomuanya’s five years tenure, the monarch had only stayed a little over a year in office. He pointed out that the traditional institution then had dignity and was well respected unlike what it was under former Governor Rochas Okorocha.
He averred that by reinstating Eze Ilomuanya, Governor Ihedioha would have in practical terms, proven that his administration’s insistence on due process and rule of law was no fluke. “He would invariably be re-asserting his mantra “my word, my bond” and also sending positive signal to the world that impunity and brazen disobedience to judicial pronouncements would have no accommodation in the new Imo under his watch as governor”, Prince Njemanze stated.
He further berated Okorocha for his open hatred for rule of law and his desecration of Imo traditional institution .According to him, Okorocha and Eze Ohiri made a mockery of the traditional institution in the State by the absurd contraption called “Eze Imo” and so many other absurdities. He insisted that it is time for Ihedioha to thoroughly clean up the Augean stable in Imo traditional institution by restoring decency, due process and rule of law in administration of Ndi -Ezes Council.
“I know Ihedioha is not given to rash actions. Because of his disciplined nature, he is being cautious so as to do the right thing. But Eze Ilomuanya’s reinstatement needs no further debate or setting up of any committee. The issue is a celebrated one known to every Imolite. Okorocha acted out of malaise and the devilish desire to scare away every intelligent person in Imo from around him and that is why the State is in ruins today”, Prince Njemanze explained.
He advised Ohiri to stop running around Ihedioha like a house boy, stressing that Ihedioha is very decent and cannot be like Okorocha. “The other day in Government House, I saw Ohiri following Ihedioha about and I wondered what else he wants from the governor. Ihedioha has been very magnanimous to accommodate him up to this time but he (Ohiri) should honorably bow out without waiting to be told. It is also time for Ihedioha to sieve out certain people from around him to prevent them from contaminating his administration, “he advised.
