One important arm of our social and political process is the Abia State Traditional Council, the body of traditional rulers. The traditional institution is recognized and treated with due respect not only for being the custodian of our cultural heritage but also for functioning as an advisory body to government. Traditional rulers serve as mediatory organs between groups in the community and therefore assist government in maintaining order and social stability. The rule over autonomous communities and, in this regard, work in liaison with the Local Council in driving the LGA process.
Abia State has been lucky with the history of traditional institution. Right from the inception of our democracy in 1999, the traditional council has been chaired by great patriots and men of outstanding integrity. The traditional council has maintained a good record of effective service in providing a bridge between government and the populace. The first Executive Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, laid the foundation for a rotational pattern in the appointment of the Chairman of the State traditional Council along the three geopolitical zones. He started his administration with the appointment of Eze Ezo Ukandu from Isiukwuato in Abia North.
The mantle of leadership of the council would later move to Eze Hope Onuigbo from Ossai, Umuahia North in Abia Central. He handed over to His Royal Majesty Eze Ikonne of Aba North in Abia South. After Eze Ikonne, the baton shifted to Eze John Akaniru of Bende in Abia North. Just before he left office, Governor Theodore Orji appointed His Royal Majesty, Eze Eberechi Dick, as the Chairman of the State Traditional Council. Eze Eberechi Dick is from Obingwa in Abia South.
The above analysis shows that in our democratic setting, Abia North has served out two terms in the persons of Eze Ukandu and Eze John Akaniru. Abia South has also served two terms in the persons of Eze Ikonne and Eze Eberechi Dick. Abia Central has only held the position once in the person of Eze Onuigbo from the Umuahia axis of Abia Central.
Therefore, as the tenure of Eze Eberechi Dick, the current holder of the seat of the chairmanship of traditional council winds down, it is incumbent upon the Governor to follow the consist pattern of rotation by berthing the seat at Abia Central and particularly to the Umunneato axis of Abia Central, comprising Isiala Ngwa North, IsialaNgwa South and Osisioma. This will amount to justice distributed.
Agreed that the appointment of the Chairman of the Traditional Council is the prerogative of the Governor and that he has the power to appoint whoever he wants, it will be to the interest of fair play and equity for the seat to shift to Abia Central to equate with the number that had been appropriated to the other zones. There is also a greater demand for justice for the next chairman to come from the Umunneato axis which has never held the position since our democratic process. Ezeukwu of NgwaUkwu, Sir Bernard Enweremadu, was a creation of the military and not a product of the democratic setting. The three Executive Governors of Abia have never considered Umunneato in the distribution of this elevated office.
It will surely be a credit to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to correct this imbalance and give a sense of recognition to Umunneato in the appointment of the next chairman of Abia State Traditional Council. In these days of clarion call for equitable distribution of both resources and appointment and the new consciousness for political balance, an appointment from this bloc will be timely in assuaging frayed nerves, calm bitter sentiments and nip certain ill-feelings in the bud. It will portray the Governor as rational and considerate and as being responsive to the prevailing sentiments within the polity.
It is imperative to drive this opinion as an agenda seething framework for the Governor. In the new Abia re-orientation process, we will need to take proactive measures to influence policy in the right direction. We still live in the political milieu where contending interest push political leaders to the wall and the basis for political decisions reduced to primordial sentiments.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu must take hold of power in ensuring that there is balance in the political equation as it relates to the seat of the chairmanship of the Traditional Council. It is by so doing that he will lift the banner of leadership. In this choice, also, he must seek out a man driven by duty and responsibility. Regrettably, the traditional institution today is populated by men of crooked past. The Governor must seek out a man who can stand as symbol and as a role model. The days of decency are here!
Godwin Adindu is the Director-General, Abia State Orientation Agency
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