Your Panel Report is Mere Academic Exercise, Doesn’t Change Anything — Ndigwe Tells Soludo

By Our Correspondent

The palace of Austin Ndigwe, a claimant to the traditional stool of Awka, has dismissed the findings of the Justice Paul Obidigwe-led panel set up by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, describing the report as a mere “academic exercise” with no effect on the traditional processes of the kingdom.

The Obidigwe panel had recently concluded that Obi Gibson Nwosu is the authentic traditional ruler of Awka, effectively ruling against Ndigwe’s claim.

Reacting to the report, the Ndigwe palace issued a statement acknowledging the governor’s intention in constituting the panel but firmly rejecting any suggestion that its findings could override customary law.

The statement read in part:
“The Palace acknowledges that Governor Soludo may have deemed it necessary to set up this Panel in pursuit of what he perceives as order and documentation in traditional institutions.

“We do not question his intentions. However, we must state clearly that whatever ‘academic exercise’ the Panel has undertaken is exactly that — an academic exercise.

” It cannot override or nullify the traditional processes that have already taken place. It cannot rewrite the history of our Kingdom. It cannot undo what has been done in accordance with Awka native law and custom.”

The statement underscores the enduring dispute over the Awka traditional stool, highlighting the tension between government interventions and established customary practices.