Some indigenes of Obohia Ndoki in Ukwa East LGA of Abia State on Wednesday, stormed the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Umuahia, demanding recognition of Monday George as their traditional ruler.
The indigenes who arrived at the ministry in protest by 8 am bearing placards, alleged that the Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu and some senior officials of his ministry are favouring another interested party, Ugochukwu Ndubuisi for the royal stool.
According to the Obohia Ndoki indigenes, Monday George who is from Umuokoraja is their Eze-elect but has been shut out by the Commissioner and his officials in preference for one Ugochukwu Ndubuisi from Umuokorota.
The protesters who were led by Blessing Dike and George Mashal, alleged that some youths who were allegedly sponsored by enemies of peace, destroyed the palace of the immediate past traditional ruler of the Obohia Ndoki, the late Eze Hyacinth Okere Dike and took away his sacred staff office.
The Obohia Ndoki indigenes therefore cautioned the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and some indigenes of the community against imposing a wrong candidate on them to avoid a crisis.
They further appealed to Governor Alex Otti to intervene in the matter and call the Commissioner and his other officials to order.
However, during the protest, the son of the immediate past Eze, Prince Ihueze Dike was arrested by security officials attached to the Ministry, for allegedly using abusive words on the Commissioner and for disturbing the peace of the office.
He was later released from the Central Police Station in Umuahia.
But defending himself against the allegations, Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu who spoke to Journalists through the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Chidinma Nwogu, denied supporting any of the factions.
Nwachukwu who also denied that the process for the selection of a new Obohia Ndoki has been compromised by his ministry, saying that the first son of the former traditional ruler, Ihueze Dike has been fomenting trouble.
He promised that due process would be followed for a new king to emerge.
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