Non-Indigenes Cannot Continue to Rule Us for Over 1,000 Years in Nri — Prophet Ramas Fumes

By Tony Okafor, Awka

The Supreme Head of the Absolute Liberation Temple, Nri, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Prophet Dr. Ramas Okoye-Asuzu, has appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to grant autonomy to Nri Ward One and Nri Ward Two as a lasting solution to the protracted Ezeship crisis in the ancient town.

Addressing journalists at his country home in Nri, Prophet Ramas said the crisis, which he described as centuries-old, could only be resolved if both wards are allowed to produce their own traditional rulers, rather than continuing what he termed the domination of the aboriginal owners of the land by “stranger elements.”

According to him, the persistent insistence on a single Eze for Nri has deepened division and tension, warning that the situation could degenerate into bloodshed if urgent steps are not taken.

“Nri is too important in Igbo history for blood to be spilled over traditional rulership. Instead of fighting, let everyone go their way,” he said.

Prophet Ramas maintained that the recognition of two kings—one from each ward—remains the only practical option for restoring lasting peace in the community.

“There is no magic to solving the Nri problem. Those to whom land was given cannot continue to lord it over the original settlers for over one thousand years. That is unacceptable before God and man,” he stated.

He urged the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs to urgently forward a memo to the governor recommending that Nri Ward One and Nri Ward Two should each be allowed to produce an Eze, insisting that such a decision would naturally bring the crisis to an end.

The cleric also criticised the long-standing reliance on Igba Afa (divination), describing it as a “big scam” that has failed to resolve the issue.

According to him, the last Afa consultation revealed that every Nri indigene is entitled to the Eze Nri stool, as no village in Nri is classified as Osu or cursed.

“The Afa confirmed that everybody is entitled to be Eze. Government should endorse this truth and allow those who have never tested kingship to have the opportunity,” he said.

Prophet Ramas further alleged that Agu-Ukwu Nri has occupied the throne for over 1,000 years, while Nri Ward One—the aborigines and first settlers of the land—has never produced an Eze.

“This is unfair in the eyes of God and man,” he declared.

He warned that failure to resolve the matter decisively could lead to anarchy.

“Let this be settled once and for all. Let them have their king, and we have ours. Anything short of this will continue to threaten peace in Nri,” he added.

Prophet Ramas provided an extensive historical account of the origin of the Ezeship in Nri, stating that the town has a well-documented history that contradicts the claims of those asserting exclusive authority over the throne.

“When the king was sick, the Deodo people abandoned him. It was his Nwadiala who took care of him, and in gratitude, he handed over the Ofor of Eze over Umu Nri. He also placed a curse that the kingship would not rotate beyond Umu Nri Obiagu,” he said.

However, Prophet Ramas clarified that the curse did not apply to the entire Nri community, but specifically to the Deodo community, adding that Akanpisi and Ekpenaka were not affected.

He accused the beneficiaries of the Ofor of later conspiring among themselves after the death of Nri Bu Ife, a development he said reignited the crisis.

The cleric stated that the stool of Eze Nri is presently vacant and said,“There should be a pure rotational Eze Nri system. Those who have never tested kingship should test it before Uruorji, who claims to have produced a king,” he said.

He recalled that Governor Soludo had earlier acknowledged the existence of serious problems in Nri during a visit to the community and promised to address them.
“Since the governor knows there is a problem in Nri, we are appealing to him to use his good office to approve two kings so that peace can reign,” he added.

Prophet Ramas also noted that Nri has never truly functioned as a united community, pointing out that major traditional institutions such as Ozo titles, Oba titles and Iyom rites have not been jointly conducted for over a thousand years.

“We are divided, even though we pretend unity by building a Unity Hall. Unity Hall does not mean unity. We were never together. The only thing we do together is Onwa Agwu,” he said.

Describing himself as a custodian of Igbo culture, Akajiofor of Ndi Igbo and a spiritual consultant of over 35 years, Prophet Ramas said his stance is anchored on truth, history and equity.

He traced his involvement in the Ezeship struggle to his days in Lagos and the 1979 town hall meeting convened to resolve the crisis during the reign of Eze Tabansi Udele.

He recalled that after the death of Tabansi in 1976 and the subsequent regency of his son, Ruben Tabansi, the crisis resurfaced, leading to renewed agitation for a rotational system.

Prophet Ramas condemned the crowning of an Eze Nri in Aguleri, describing it as taboo and contrary to Nri tradition.

“Aguleri does not crown Eze Nri. Nri people only go to Aguleri to collect Udu Eze and return home for the kingmakers to perform the coronation,” he said.

He explained that the disputed coronation led to the emergence of parallel kings—Obidiegwu Onyeso and Ogbu Mou—with the latter recognised by the Mbadinauju administration, which issued a certificate of recognition.
According to him, subsequent administrations reversed the policy, thereby reigniting the conflict.
He also faulted recent attempts to impose a constitution allegedly endorsed by only three out of six villages in Nri, describing it as unjust and unacceptable.

Prophet Ramas concluded by calling on the state government to act decisively in the interest of peace, justice and historical truth in Nri.