Ndigwe Playing with Fire: Obigwe Slams Awka Monarch’s Parade

A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Evang. Chinedu Obigwe, has condemned Austin Ndigwe for allegedly defying constituted authority by parading himself as the monarch of Awka, warning that such actions amount to “playing with fire.”

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Obigwe described Ndigwe as a shameless impostor and insisted that he is not the traditional ruler of Awka.

He issued a stern warning to Chief Austin Ndigwe, cautioning that his continued claim to the Ezeuzu III of Awka stool amounts to “playing with consuming fire.”

Obigwe, who is the National Coordinator of the APGA Media Warriors Forum, was reacting to reports that Ndigwe had once again paraded himself as the “Ezeuzu III” of Awka. 

He stated that no one should blame the governor if decisive action is taken.

The APGA stalwart said Ndigwe’s actions constitute a direct affront to the authority of the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, and warned that such defiance would not go without consequences.

“Without mincing words, the fly that refuses to heed advice follows the corpse to the grave,” Obigwe stated, employing a proverb to underscore the gravity of the situation.

He further described Ndigwe’s conduct as “a dance of the spirits,” insisting that his public display of kingship claims on Monday was both provocative and unlawful.

According to him, law-abiding citizens of the state must condemn what he termed an act of impunity.

Obigwe expressed satisfaction that the incident was widely witnessed by the public, noting that this would forestall any allegations of political victimisation should the state government take action.

“The issue of the authentic traditional ruler of Awka has been conclusively settled,” he said.

He added that the position of the state government remains that Igwe Obi Gibson Nwosu is the duly recognised monarch.

Obigwe referenced the report of the judicial panel of inquiry on the Awka traditional stool crisis, which has since been adopted and gazetted by the state government, affirming Nwosu’s status as the legitimate traditional ruler.

Describing Ndigwe as “an impostor,” Obigwe maintained that his continued claim to the throne is not only baseless but also a challenge to constituted authority.

“Governor Soludo is not the kind of leader anyone can toy with,” he warned.

He  added  that the administration remains resolute in upholding the law and decisions already taken on the matter.

Obigwe cautioned that Ndigwe would soon come to terms with the reality of the situation, stressing that the current administration would not tolerate actions capable of undermining established legal and traditional processes.

Reacting to the development, a vice chairman of one of the villages in Awka said:

“We need real action from the Governor. Ndigwe was boasting yesterday, claiming that Awka has crowned him king and that nothing will happen. Even if the Governor starts with those following him around, that will be a good start.

“I know our people—once they see real action, they will backtrack and distance themselves from him.”

The dispute over the Uzu Awka stool has remained a subject of public concern in recent times, despite the state government’s insistence that the matter has been conclusively resolved.