By Our Correspondent
A potential crisis is looming in Enugwu-Ukwu community in the Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State as the son of late Igwe Osita Agwuna, Chukwudinigbo Agwuna, plans to hold a parallel Ofala festival, despite the community’s traditional cabinet announcing that the official Igu-Aro Enugwu-Ukwu will hold this Saturday, January 4th, 2025.
The Igwe-in-Council and the Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU) have warned that no other event should take place on the day of Igu-Aro, which is Enugwu-Ukwu day, according to age-old tradition.
The community’s traditional cabinet, led by Ozomkpu Chief Frank Nwokike, Secretary, Enugwu-Ukwu Traditional Cabinet, has alerted the Anambra state government and security agencies of the potential breakdown of law and order due to the planned parallel event.
The cabinet emphasized that the community has already completed the funeral ceremonies of late Igwe Agwuna before the emergence of the current Igwe, Sir Ralph Obumnaeme Ekpeh.
The cabinet’s statement read in part,”The Igwe-in-Council and the Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU) hereby inform Ndi Enugwu-Ukwu, friends, in-laws, Ndi Nwadiana, the Security Agencies, members of the public, Anambra State Ministry of Local Government and other relevant government departments, agencies and bodies that Igu-Aro Enugwu-Ukwu by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Sir Ralph Obumnaeme Ekpeh, Eze Enugwu-Ukwu na Igwe Umunri, holds this Saturday, January 4th 2025 at Obu Umunri by 12 noon.
“In line with the age-old tradition of Enugwu-Ukwu, no other event under any guise holds in the community on the day of Igu-Aro which is Enugwu-Ukwu day.
“The Igwe-in-Council and ECDU are also using this announcement to alert Anambra state government and the security agencies of impending breakdown of law and order in the community due to the plans by a son of the late traditional ruler of the community to hold a parallel Igu-Aro ceremony and phantom funeral ceremonies for Late Igwe Osita Agwuna, under the guise of organizing empowerment programme.
“For the records, Ndi Enugwu-Ukwu have since completed the funeral ceremonies of late Igwe Agwuna before the emergence of Igwe Ekpeh. Enugwu-Ukwu is a peace loving community and wishes to state these facts for the records.
However, Chukwudinigbo Agwuna and Prince Ituludiegwu Agwuna, in a statement, claimed that the event in honour of their late father, Igwe Osita Agwuna, will hold as scheduled on Friday, January 3rd, and Saturday, January 4th, 2025, at Obu Ofo Nri Palace and Museum Enugwu Ukwu.
They described the announcement by the traditional cabinet as “libelous publication” and encouraged the community to ignore any negative posts.
The community’s leadership has urged the state government and security agencies to intervene to prevent any potential crisis.
As the community prepares for the Igu-Aro festival, tensions are running high, and it is essential for all parties involved to prioritize peace and stability.
