The people of Ajali town in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra installed a new traditional ruler, Eze Emesinwa Nwosu VII, on Monday. That would make it fifteen years after the traditional stool became vacant.
Nwosu is the first son of the immediate past traditional ruler, Eze Obinali Nwosu.
The Ogbuti-Oti dynasty is popularly known to be the founder of Ajali. The dynasty’s palace is the bedrock to the traditional stool of the community.
The inheritance of the throne is immediately transferred to the first son of the immediate past traditional ruler.
Previous traditional rules of Ajali include; Oji-Oti, Oti-Oji, Nwafor-Oti, Aniche-Oti, Nwosu Nwafor and Obinani Nwosu.
The coronation of Eze Nwosu VII’s was carried out by the eldest man of the ruling house, Prince Patrick Nwosu, the “Akakpa Ofor’’ Ogbuti-Oti.
Some observers at the ceremony were the heads of the four villages of Ajali – Amagu, Omuabiama, Umueve and Obinikpa.
Chief Austin Nwosu, a prince of the palace stated that the highlight of the Ajali traditional ruler succession process was the presentation of Eze Emesinwa Nwosu by the ‘Ime-Obi Ogbuti Oti.’
Chief Austin said the plot to make the second son of the late Eze succeed him against Emesinwa who was abroad led to the delay of the succession process for 15 years.
Chief Nwosu revealed that the matter had been finalized by a competent court, which ruled in favour of Ajali tradition of non-rotation of the traditional ruler’s seat and automatic transfer of staff to the heir apparent of a deceased ruler.
He stated that “Normally in dynasty, there are times when we have a tussle over who should replace the Eze; there are people who would want to use the money to subvert the process; that is what was going on until the case went to court.
“The High Court delivered judgment according to the customs and traditions of Ajali, having traced the history of Eze and declared that the stool rests in this palace and must go to the first son of the deceased ruler,’’
Chief Chukwunedum Enekwe, a palace chief, expressed his joy that bad politics was not tolerated to desecrate the succession process by accepting the true successor to ascend the throne.
He further stated that the attendance by the heads of the four villages symbolizes the endorsement by the gods of Ajali and prayed that their spirits would bless the new king and give the town lasting peace and progress.
Mrs Ellion Gbinijie, a princess of the palace described the event as a pleasant end to long years of squabble.
Gbinijie said that Ajali community had a lot of crises during the days of vacuum because some matters which would have been resolved by the Eze-in-Council were either taken to court or to the Police.
“We are happy in this palace because we have been able to install the rightful successor. Since the father of the Eze died, Ajali had been in chaos because of the inability of the palace to have a traditional ruler.
“So for us, it is the beginning of peace and greater things to come. With a new king, there will be less court and police cases because the Eze-in-Council has a very efficient and acceptable way of resolving disputes,’’ she said.
In his acceptance speech, Eze Nwosu VII said he would continue in the same manner his ancestors ruled the community in their times, adding that he would yield himself to their spirit for guidance.
He called on the people of Ajali to support his reign and forgive one another for peace and progress of the community.
Eze Nwosu VII had his secondary education at Izzi High School, Ebonyi and studied Mass Communication at Western Cape University, South Africa, where he lived for 30 years. (NAN)
