SOUTH-EAST REPORT
Abiriba lays down arms, embrace peace
…We’re tired of war
By Vincent Ukpong Kalu
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
 |
After a decade of hostility caused by the struggle for the traditional stool, which led to the death of scores of people and property worth several millions of naira destroyed, the Abiriba community in Abia State, last month did what they were supposed to have done by laying down their swords and embracing one another.
A solemn assembly was organised at Abiriba stadium to usher in peace. Prominent citizens of the community from different parts of the country and beyond returned home for that significant event that had the Abia State governor, Theodore Orji in attendance.
Various women groups dressed in magnificent splendour danced and sang praises to God for the return of peace in the once serene community.
Tears flowed down freely from the eyes of some people. It was all for joy. Mrs. Mabel Agwu said, “ this tears flowing this afternoon is all for joy for the return of peace in Abiriba kingdom.” According to her, the crisis in the community got to a stage that it was no more possible to sleep with both eyes closed in Abiriba. This stadium, she said is one of the victims of the crisis as it was yet to be completed. Chief Ota Oleh said the Ezeship imbroglio put a knife on the thing that held Abiriba together and since then the community never remained the same and thank God the worst is over and the best has come.
Speaking during the ceremony, Abia State governor, T. A. Orji, said the Abiriba crisis has given the state government sleepless nights but God has given the government the wisdom to arrive at a conclusion that has ushered in peace that is being celebrated today.
Extolling the virtues of the Enachioken of Abiriba, Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu, who is the rightful occupant of the throne, the governor commended Abiriba people for their respect for their culture and tradition. “ The tussle for Enachioken stool shouldn’t be because Abiriba has a tradition for the ascension to the throne. I know when Eze K. K. Ogbu was given staff of office seven years ago, then Abiriba people stood behind him.”
He reminded them that people shouldn’t use God’s given talent to oppress others and cause disaffection in their communities. He regretted the orgy of violence that has been in Abiriba has forced most prominent citizens to desert the community. He thanked the people for conferring him Ogbo Ogu (one who separates fight) chieftaincy title, assuring them that the fight he has separated is forever and there will be no more war in Abiriba, while calling them to be united.
He told the people that during the mayhem, some were arrested for arson, murder or kidnap and there might equally be innocent people among and promised to set free those found to be innocent.
Earlier, while conferring chieftaincy on the governor, Eze Ogbu remarked that Abiriba hardly confers chieftaincy titles, but the governor has done a great feat to deserve such title.
According to the traditional ruler any one that separates a fight between two great men is very great. While pouring libation, the Eze noted that, “ today marks a new beginning in Abiriba and that crisis would never be heard in the community. If there were a any need for crisis, it would be the one that will educate us and not the one that would consume us and destroy our property.”
Tracing the genesis of the crisis, Chief Urum Eke told Daily Sun that, Eze Ogbu was given staff of office in 2003. According to him, the Enachioken stool in Abiriba predates the staff of office that was introduced by the colonial masters. “ To become the king of Abiriba does not necessarily begin or end with presentation of staff of office. It is a process, which primarily begins with the Imaba Abachah of the would-be Enachioken.
This is after the king makers have thoroughly done their own in house homework to select the prospective king from the rightful family.
After the king has been chosen by the king makers, he would be sent to Agba Oha for another anointing ceremony, thereafter, the person become the Enachioken of Abiriba. Eze Ogbu had done all this in 2002 and the Otisi, which is the symbol of authority, was given to him. Once the Otisi is given to the Enachioken, he holds it for life, nobody takes it over until that person dies. That is why during the crisis, there was an attempt on the life of K. K. Ogbu because unless he dies, no other person can hold the Otisi. Every July, during the Itu Eye the Enachioken makes a declaration.”
Explaining further on the emergence of the king, Eke said that Abiriba is founded on a tripod – Amaeke, Amaogudu and Agboji. These are three siblings from the founder of Abiriba. “ The first son is the ruling family and is from Amaeke, which has 11 villages. In this Amaeke, there are only three compounds that can produce the Enachioken – Nde Okoko, Amaelu Nta that comprises Nde Ekpe and Nde Mbeko.
The Enachioken rotates between Nde Okoko and Amaelu Nta. Amaelu Nta is in Umu Eso, which is one of the 11 villages of Amaeke. It is only Amaelu Nta in Umu Eso that is the ruling family.
“ The present Enachioken is from Nde Ekpe of Amaelu Nta. When he dies, the stool will go to Nde Okoko. When the king from Nde Okoko dies, it will go to Nde Mbeko of Amaelu Nta. It is not everybody at Amaeke that can rule. It is the only true descendant of the original father.
“ Those that had worked against Eze K. K. Ogbu were not right; they were ignorant of the process of emergence of Enachioken.
The king makers sat and did all the analysis and narrowed it down to Nde Ekpe in Amaelu Nta because it is their turn. The person that was supposed to be Enachioken was old. The man turned it down on the ground that he did not go to school and had few years to live and so passed it over to his nephew, K. K. Ogbu who is young and educated. In the old man’s calculation, if he was crowned and he dies the next year, he would have deprived his Nde Ekpe of occupying the stool for long and before it rotates back to them it may take a very long time, maybe 100 years. Part of the problem with Ogbu is that some people are uncomfortable because he is young and will have a long reign. As the king, he did the traditional Itu Eye in 2004.”
