Awka Traditional Stool Tussle: Soludo Backs Obi Gibson as Authentic Monarch

By Praise Chinecherem

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state has declared that “enough is enough” regarding the decade-long leadership crisis rocking the traditional stool of Awka, the State capital.

Receiving the final report from the Commission of Inquiry into the Awka Traditional Stool dispute, the Governor emphasized that his administration will not tolerate the existence of two traditional rulers in any community.

The dispute, which has lingered for over 10 years, prompted the state government to intervene after internal peace mechanisms failed.

The Governor revealed that he had previously mandated the President-General of Awka—who was unanimously selected by the community—to mediate.

However, weeks later, the President General reported that the complexities of the crisis exceeded his capacity for intervention, leading the community to formally request the state government’s involvement.

“Awka is not just another community; it is the capital of the state. The institution of the Eze Uzu must be revered. If the stool is in dispute, it diminishes the entire state. We must be a state of law and order,” he stated.

Presenting the report earlier, Chairman of the Commission and former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Paul Obidigwe, described the findings as a culmination of tireless efforts to uncover the facts in the overriding public interest.

The Commission’s inquiry led to several cardinal findings such as the remote causes which includes the vaulting ambition of Chief Austin Ndigwe and an exaggerated perception of customary authority that ignored statutory law, Controversies surrounding “dust-to-dust” Catholic burial rites and the procedurally defective attempted dethronement of the incumbent monarch in 2017.

According to him, the Commission ruled that the purported removal of H.R.M. Obi Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu II) was unlawful, invalid, and lacked legal effect due to a lack of quorum, denial of fair hearing, and failure to comply with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law 2007.

The Commission also concluded that Chief Austin Ndigwe was never lawfully selected or installed, noting that his claim to the throne is an “affront” to the state government as there was no vacancy in the stool.

Justice Obidigwe stated that the Commission’s primary recommendations include the formal reaffirmation of H.R.M. Obi Gibson Nwosu as the substantive Traditional Ruler of Awka and the deployment of government machinery to stop Chief Austin Ndigwe’s unlawful claims to the stool.

He also stressed the need for structured reconciliation to foster communal healing.

Accepting the document, Governor Soludo assured the public that the government would study the report with keen interest and issue a White Paper as a follow-up.

“This is a message to other communities. Always refer to the Anambra Traditional Rulers Law 2007. It is my duty to enforce the law. In this matter, there is no victor and no vanquished—only the triumph of the rule of law,” he added.

Appreciating the Commission for their transparency and accountability, Soludo described their work as essential to achieving a livable and prosperous Anambra.