The Traditional Ruler of Umuokane autonomous community in Ohaji- Egbema LGA, Imo State, Eze Matthew Chiedozie Nwokoma, has condemned what he described as an attempt to create disunity and unnecessary rancour in his community.

He is accusing some individuals of trying to impose another throne in the community without following the native procedures.

He said that the move is to undermine his position as the chief custodian of the community given to him by the people of the kingdom as its tradition demands.

The Eze, while addressing Ohaji-Egbema practicing journalists on the recent development in his palace, remarked that there is nothing wrong in creating another autonomous community from the existing one but condemned the attitude of trying to impose another throne on the already existing one in a manner he said was contrary to age-long custom of the community.

He maintained that seeking another autonomous community is not a process that will rest on the shoulders of one man or a few individuals but must involve the entire community, where Elders-in-Council will brainstorm and consult the ancestors to know if they are in support of the move to avoid incurring their wrath.

He asserted that every traditional kingship has a link with the ancestors who, when alive, observed the sacred nature of the stool and will never be happy seeing it desecrated because of selfish interest.

Eze Nwokoma narrated that his emergence as the chief custodian of the traditional stool was not by his own making but the general wish of his people which led to his resignation from the Nigeria Police Force

Following the death of his elder brother.

He added that ascendancy to the throne is by heredity, which, according to him, has never changed, as he further maintained that his emergence has witnessed relative peace among his people, bringing them together through improved security and in keeping with the sacredness of the stool.

He maintained that his community is among those in the State that have never recorded any security breach.

He vowed not to allow individuals with vested interests to disturb the peace already built in the community, asserting that he will never hesitate to call upon the ancestors.

“I am informing you that we have one Umuokane Autonomous Community and the Traditional Ruler is HRM, Eze Dr. Matthew Chiedozie Nwokoma (Okaome the 4th).

“We are still waiting for the State Government to approve any other Autonomous for us as we want more development to come to Umuokane.

“I will accept any new autonomous community created with clean documentary evidence in good faith.

“But having an Autonomous that will be imposed on us could be a kind of whirlwind. We want a cool breeze that shall make us feel at home with one another. War is very expensive, damaging, but peace is priceless.

“I will not play down nor trample on the progress of the community. The respected Chiefs, cabinet members, PG, village heads, and youth president are working cordially with me, and the people are happy with my rulership style and peaceful disposition.

“Currently, over 40 percent of Ohaji indigenes live and take refuge in Umuokane because of its peaceful nature,” Eze Nwokoma stressed.

Adding his voice, President-General of the Town Union, Sir Bethel Enyinna, affirmed that Eze Nwokoma remained the monarch of the community, who according to him, had been ruling the community with transparent leadership.

Other leaders, Chief Ohaji Akujuobi and Nicholas Ekeh, in their separate remarks, emphasized that they were not opposed to any other autonomous groups within Umuokane if legal, peaceful, and traditional processes were followed.