EZE ARO: Okennachi Kindred Affirms Prince Eberechukwu Oji, Says Crowning Of Goddy Idei, An Abomination |WATCH VIDEO

As the crisis rocking the traditional stool of Arochukwu kingdom in Abia State continues, the Okennachi kindred has affirmed Prince Eberechukwu Oji, as the Eze Aro designate, noting that the crowning of Prince Goddy Idei is an abomination.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Okennachi kindred who are traditionally responsible for selecting who becomes the Eze Aro, stated through their President General, Mazi Udo Chijioke, that the conferment made by Eze Ibom Isii, Mazi Kanu Nwa Kanu and Eze Ezeagwu N’Okwaragu on Prince Idei was “entirely meddlesome and a breach of the Independence of the federating kindred in Arochukwu”.

“…besides, the action was also in violation of the January 2, 2015 vow entered and signed by Aro traditional rulers and Nzuko Arochukwu patrons and validate by consent judgement of 26 October, 2015 by Justice S.A. Nwakanma of Abia state High court Umuahia that no kindred Eze should interfere with internal village administration and selection of Eze Ogo” the release added.

Okennachi maintained that Prince Eberechukwu Oji remains the authentic Eze Aro designate having fulfilled the provisions of Arochukwu tradition of crowning which includes being accepted by Nde Oke at Oror, presented and accepted at Utughugwu with the traditional rites performed and presented to and accepted by Bianko and Amaja,”that is having been accepted by the three units of Okennachi kindred”.

‘It was therefore in shock and utter disbelief that Okennachi kindred learned that Prince Goddy Idei who failed at the selection process ran to Eze Ibom Isii on the 20th of October to put what he called Okpu Arunsi on his head and called him Eze Aro. This is unheard of in Aro tradition. It is not only an abomination, this is pure gangsterism, a total illegality and a nullity…….. Goddy Idei is an impostor since it was not him that Okennachi kindred selected to be Eze Aro” the press statement read in part.

Similarly, the Okennachi kindred in a communique issued after it’s annual general meeting held on January 1, 2024 stated that “the selection of Prince Eberechukwu Oji as the Eze Aro on October 18, 2023, conducted by a panel of seven Okennachi kindred Eze Aro committee with a verdict of 5:2 in favour of Oji, followed the traditional process and endorsed by the three Otusi that make up Okennachi is final and irrevocable thus, cannot be revisited or reopened under any disguise”.

“Eze Ibom Isii’s action in crowning an impostor i a traditional interference in Okennachi kindred affairs, a breach of the Aro kingdom forbears covenant, an abomination that must be remediated through necessary atonement and cleansing” the communique added.

Recall that following the dispute, Prince Eberechukwu Oji and Prince Goddy Idei were asked to put on hold, their planned coronation last December, pending the report of the Abia state panel on Eze Aro. However, Idei flaunted court order, parading himself as the Eze Aro which led to his arrest and subsequent release on self recognition.