The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra
(IPOB ), Nnamdi Kanu, was allegedly sent away
from the palace of Obidiegwu Onyesoh, the
traditional ruler of Nri, a community in Aniocha
local government area of Anambra state, for
reportedly violating tradition.
Speaking with journalists in Awka, the state
capital on Thursday, Ifeanyi Onyesoh, personal
assistant to the monarch, said Kanu and his
supporters attempted to force their way into the
palace.
“They tried to forcefully open the
entrance gate of the palace and it was
this unruly conduct that made the
traditional ruler to telephone the
security agents who responded
promptly and dispersed Kanu and his
supporters,’’ Onyesoh said.
Onyesoh said Kanu and his wife, Uchechi, and
supporters violated the tradition of the town
during their visit on July 19 and that the people
were angry.
Onyesoh said a day before Kanu’s visit, 12 young
people came to the palace of Eze Nri requesting
an appointment with the traditional ruler.
“I was the person that received
them and so I told them to go and
come back with a written letter so that
they will get official reply from the
palace since the delegation looked
unusual, in that there was no titled
person among them,” he said.
“At this point, they all left and what we
saw the next day was Kanu visiting Nri
community with a huge crowd of his
supporters.
“He (Kanu) went straight to the house
of one Chief Shadrack Mbanefo, a
subject of the traditional ruler of Nri.
“The feelers we later got, was that the
said Mbanefo claimed he handed over
the `Offo Nri ’, (symbol of royalty) to
Kanu, and even allowed Kanu to visit the
historic ‘Ohianwehi forest’ revered as
‘forest of life’ by Igbo tradition.
“This forest is believed to be the place
the first burnt offering was offered by
the Jewish Igbo ancestors when they
migrated from Israel more than 2,000
years ago.”
Onyesoh said Nri people considered Kanu’s
conduct as a taboo because no high profile
visitor entered the community without first
visiting the traditional ruler, “let alone a sacred
place without the knowledge of the ruler”.
He said the people regarded Kanu’s action as an
affront to their values and so resolved not to
sweep the matter under the carpet.
“It is a taboo in Nri and equally
against the Anambra state traditional
rulers’ council law for a high profile
visitor to visit a community without first
paying homage to the traditional ruler,”
he said.
“The people of Nri and her traditional
ruler are not against Nnamdi Kanu and
his agitation/aspiration but what we
cannot take is for Kanu to come and
mess up the Nri culture and tradition
under whatever motive.
“The community will drag him to
customary court to ensure that nobody
else gives such insult to the community
and its heritage.
“If Kanu wants a title, Eze Nri is not
aware of such aspiration.
“If Kanu indeed met with anybody and
claimed he was given `Offo Nri’, it
means he is seeking the title through
the back door and for the title he
claimed was given to him by
`Adama’ (Mbanefo ), a servant to Eze
Nri, is a nullity.
“Nri is the ancestral home of all Igbo
people and for him to visit Nri in the
manner he did means he has no
knowledge of Igbo tradition and culture.
‘’So, he must first study Igbo tradition
and culture and properly be advised
before he misleads himself.’’
Source: AITNewsNG
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