A former commissioner for information in Anambra State Joe-Martins Uzodike has debunked reports about Alor Community allegedly disowning Igwe Mac-Anthony Okonkwo and blaming former Anambra governor Peter Obi for allegedly imposing him on the people.
Mr Uzodike served as commissioner under Mr Obi and also served as a member of the state executive council under the Willie Obiano administration.
Uzodike in a statement on Monday stated that Igwe Okonkwo was issued certificate of recognition as the traditional ruler of Alor by Obiano while he was coronated on June 24, 2014.
Uzodike described as wrong, the blames heaped on Obi for Igwe Okonkwo’s emergence as the Igwe Alor and the recent unease that has trailed his reign.
“Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, issued certificate of recognition to Igwe MacAnthony Chinedu Okonkwo who was coronated on June 24, 2014 as Ezedioramma 111 of Alor Kingdom. Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, did not issue him the certificate as recently reported, so it will only amount to mischief to blame Obi for any recent discontent experienced due to Igwe Okonkwo’s kingship,” Uzodike said.
The former commissioner noted that Obi during his tenure never meddled with traditional institutions. He recalled under Obi’s administration when about 100 traditional rulers from Anambra travelled to Lagos for the wedding of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s sister and Obi never suspended any of them.
He said the former governor rather organised an empowerment seminar to enable them understand and discharge their duties well.
