Okonjo-Iweala Under Fire For “Contradicting Tradition In Announcing Dad's Death, Successor”

Former finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has veen attacked by the Okonjo Royal family of Ogwashi-Uku for allegedly contradicting tradition in announcing the death of her father, the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Prof. Chukuka Okonjo, and naming his successor, Igbere TV reports.

Recall that on Friday, September 13, Dr Okonjo-Iweala took to her official Twitter account to announce the death of her 91-year-old father and her brother, Ifechukwude Okonjo, as his successor.

The Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family, in a statement on Sunday signed by Patrick Okonjo, a lawyer, claimed that the announcement of the passing of a monarch and his successor was a traditional function.

“We observe, with sadness and pity, the despicable ploy by a renegade faction of the Umu Obi Obahai royal family of Ogwashi-Uku, to desecrate the Ogwashi-Uku traditional institution, following the passing away of Prof. Ben Chukwuka Okonjo.

“In furtherance of this devious plan, one Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has purported to announce the transition of an Obi of Ogwashi-Uku and proclaimed the ascension to the same throne by her brother, Ifechukwude Okonjo (Chude).

“I wish to point out for the information of the general public, particularly Ogwashians, as follows.

“It is sacrilegious of Ogwashi-Uku custom and tradition for a Princess to announce the transition of the monarch or proclaim another. It is a purely traditional function.

“Prof. Okonjo was never an Obi of Ogwashi-Uku under our tradition but a mere Regent. Accordingly, his first child cannot be Obi, as deceitfully inferred by Ngozi.

“Succession to the traditional stool of Ogwashi-Uku is strictly by PRIMOGENITURE. Prof. Okonjo was never in the line of succession and therefore only served as a REGENT. His 3rd son, Chude, consequently can never be Obi.

“The Obiship of Ogwashi-Uku does not go to the highest bidder, it is rooted in ancient custom and tradition which is inviolable. Prof. Okonjo, in effect, usurped the throne. These issues form the bedrock of Suit No: A/159/2019, Prince Patrick Okonjo v. Prince Nathan Okonjo & 8 Ors, now before the High Court of Justice, Asaba.

“Accordingly, I enjoin the peace-loving people of Ogwashi-Uku not to be perturbed, but to discountenance and pay no heed to the statement made by Ngozi, or for that matter, the charade we have witnessed in Ogwashi-Uku in the past few days” the statement said.