Traditional ruler under fire over Buhari’s traditional title

Traditional ruler under fire over Buhari’s traditional title

The Abia State government and Traditional Rulers Council have disowned the traditional ruler of Eziama Aba, Eze Isaac Ikonne of Aba-North for conferring a traditional title on the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) Gen. Mohammadu Buhari.

The APC  candidate was conferred with the title of Ogbuagu1 of Aba kingdom which means the “The Lion Killer”, when he visited the area last week. 

At a press briefing in Umuahia,  Chairman, Abia State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Eberechi Dick, said Aba is made up of two Local Government Areas; Aba-North  and Aba-South with over 400 communities. “Osusu, where Ikonne is resident has a traditional ruler and as such, he is not qualified to confer title on anyone on behalf of Aba,” he said.

He maintained that traditional rulers in the state are happy with Governor Theodore Orji and President Goodluck Jonathan “for their people-oriented programmes.” He condemned Ikonne over what he called unwarranted attack on the state government, alleging that the council is aware that Ikonne was influenced to carry out that action and will be investigated. 

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr. ACB Agbazuere, advised Eze Ikonne to desist from his attacks on the state government. He urged the traditional ruler to resign if he wants to join politics.