Ndigwe’s claim to Awka monarchy affront to government- Commission

The Commission inquiry set up by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, to look into the crisis rocking the Awka traditional stool has stated that the purported removal of H.R.M. Obi Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu II) was unlawful, invalid, and without legal effect.
The Commission cited lack of quorum, denial of fair hearing, and failure to comply with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, 2007.
According to the Commission, Chief Austin Ndigwe was never lawfully selected or installed, noting that his claim to the throne constitutes an “affront” to the state government, as there was no vacancy in the stool.
In a statement issued by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, the Commission made this known while submitting its report to Governor Soludo on Wednesday at Government House, Awka (Light House).
Presenting the report earlier, the Chairman of the Commission and former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Paul Obidigwe, described the findings as the culmination of tireless efforts to uncover the facts in the overriding public interest.
The Commission’s inquiry led to several cardinal findings, including remote causes such as the vaulting ambition of Chief Austin Ndigwe and an exaggerated perception of customary authority that ignored statutory law.
It also identified 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 lack of quorum, denial of fair hearing, and non-compliance with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, 2007.
The Commission further concluded that Chief Austin Ndigwe was never lawfully selected or installed, reiterating that his claim to the throne is an “affront” to the state government, as there was no vacancy.
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.
Receiving the final report from the Commission of Inquiry into the Awka Traditional Stool dispute, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo declared that “enough is enough” regarding the decade-long leadership crisis affecting the traditional stool of Awka, the Anambra State capital.
The Governor stated that his administration would not tolerate the existence of two traditional rulers in any community.
Aburime said the dispute, which has lingered for over ten years, prompted the state government to intervene after internal peace mechanisms failed.
According to him, Governor Soludo 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.”Governor Soludo remarked.
Governor Soludo assured the public that the government would study the report carefully and issue a White Paper as a follow-up.
“This is a message to other communities,” “Always refer to the Anambra State 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.”Soludo said.
The Governor thanked the Commission for its transparency and accountability, noting that its work is essential to achieving a livable and prosperous Anambra State.