The people of Ebem Ohafia Ancient kingdom, Ohafia local government area of Abia State have denied the dethronement of their Paramount Ruler, HRH Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha (JP) who is also the Ezieogo of Ebem Ohafia.
The community in a statement on Sunday by the representatives of Ezieogo Ebem Ohafia in Council, the Ebem Ohafia Kingmakers, The Central Executive Committee of Ebem Ohafia Development Union, Inyom Ebem Home and Abroad, the Ebem Youths Association and the board of trustees of Ebem Ohafia Development Union incorporated was reacting to a radio announcement by a body called UMUEZIABA who claimed to have dethroned the traditional ruler.
The community urged all sons and daughters of Ebem to ignore to rumour, stating that HRH Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha (JP) is the Ezieogo of Ebem Ohafia and has not been removed by any person or group of persons.
The release said, “The radio announcement of the purported dethronement of Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha as Ezieogo of Ebem Ohafia is illegal, not supported by Ebem Ohafia customs and traditions with respect to the Eziogo Ebem stool and the mere wishful thinking of the persons who do not know or appreciate the customs and traditions of Ebem Ohafia Community.
“The stool of Ezieogo Ebem is neither appointive nor elective in nature, the occupant of the stool holds the office for life and no other person can occupy the stool during the lifetime of any reigning Ezieogo.
“HRH Ezie Ukoha Kalu Ukoha is not guilty of the fabricated, baseless and unfounded allegations leveled against him in the radio announcements. We hereby reiterate and pledge our implicit and unalloyed support for the reign of Ezie Ukoha Kalu (JP) as the Ezieogo of Ebem Ohafia.”
The community while urging Abians to ignore the purported removal of the Paramount Ruler said there is an inbuilt customary conflict resolution mechanism in the community which every aggrieved person is expected to explore if there is any issue with the institutions of governance in Ebem Ohafia and not indulging in acts capable of creating crisis.
