Monarchy Showdown:Two Kings Set to Reign Over Nri
Dr. Ramas Okoye-Asuzu
The long-standing Igweship (traditional kingship) crisis in the historic Nri Kingdom, located in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, has reached a boiling point, with two rival monarchs set to emerge from the fractured community.
The dispute centers on which part of the kingdom holds the legitimate right to produce the next traditional ruler an issue that has deeply divided the ancient town.
Nri, widely acknowledged as the ancestral home of the Igbo people and the spiritual heartland of Igbo civilization, is facing a serious cultural and political upheaval.
The Igweship tussle, which has lingered for decades, has now escalated to the point of polarizing the kingdom into two autonomous factions Akampisi Nri and Agukwu Nri.
The current crisis traces back to the period following the death of the late Eze Nri, His Majesty Obidiegwu Onyesoh. Since his passing, both quarters Akampisi and Agukwu have been locked in a fierce struggle over succession. The conflict, once a quiet political rivalry, has now taken a formal dimension, as both groups have written to the Anambra State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy/Town Union Affairs to request recognition as separate autonomous communities, each with its own traditional ruler.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner for Local Government and Town Union Affairs, Chief Tony Collins Nwabunwanne, told reporters on Tuesday that the state government is aware of the growing tension in Nri.
“I have been away for a training program and haven’t been in the office recently, but I believe the letters are already on my desk,” “Yes, the state is aware of the chieftaincy dispute. We are engaging the concerned parties, and our goal is to resolve the matter peacefully.”he said.
He further explained that the proliferation of autonomous communities is not entirely in line with the administrative vision of the Anambra State government.
However, he assured that efforts were ongoing to mediate between the two factions.
Reacting to the crisis, Dr. Ramas Okoye-Asuzu, a prominent leader and aspirant from Akampisi Nri, expressed deep concern over the persistent dispute.
He argued that autonomy is the only practical solution to restore peace, given the unwillingness of both sides to compromise.
“All states in Nigeria recognize community autonomy, but for some reason, Anambra seems to be an exception,”
“During former Governor Obiano’s administration, he approved autonomy for three communities in his own constituency but ignored others facing similar demands.”Dr. Okoye-Asuzu said.
Drawing on historical context, he narrated past instances where the Igweship succession process was marred by internal manipulation and exclusion.
“When Obumuo embarked on a spiritual journey lasting over thirteen years, we waited for unity in Nri, but it didn’t happen. Then, Odiedo embarked on a similar journey,meaning he died and once again, the same crisis arose after Onyeso’s death.”he said.
He claimed that, according to the traditional rotational system, it was the turn of Akampisi Nri to produce the next Eze Nri, but the process was hijacked and allegedly manipulated in favor of Agukwu Nri.
“When this happened, we invited all stakeholders and called for unity. But they refused. They claimed that the aborigines our people should remain perpetual subjects to them. Our people rejected that notion completely.”he said.
He further stated that, despite repeated calls for reconciliation, the Agukwu Nri group repeatedly walked out of meetings aimed at resolving the crisis. The final straw, according to him, was the unilateral announcement that one Chukwudi Nwokoye had been selected as Eze Nri a move he said was not accepted by the broader Nri populace.
“We heard that a group called Afah has selected Chukwudi Nwokoye. This has never happened before in our tradition,” “Even among the people of Agukwu Nri, there was dissent. The late Eze Onyeso himself said he would not endorse Nwokoye, and yet they went ahead.”he said.
He said that the move was illegitimate and unacceptable to the Akampisi Nri people and many others within the larger Nri community.
“We had yet another reconciliation meeting where we stated clearly that, having produced the last Eze Nri, it was now our turn. But again, they walked out.”he said.
The crisis reached a formal turning point when both factions sent separate letters to the state government, requesting recognition as independent autonomous communities.
According to Dr. Okoye-Asuzu, this would allow each group to select and crown its own traditional ruler effectively ending the age-old centralized monarchy in Nri.
“We are officially writing to the Anambra State Government to accept their decision that Agukwu Nri and Akampisi Nri go their separate ways. Each group should now crown its own king.
“This is the only path to peace. We do not want bloodshed or a breakdown of law and order. Let us part ways peacefully and preserve what remains of our cultural heritage.”he added.
