By Charles Igbo
The ripples from the Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Rally organised in Awka, Anambra State is yet to settle.
The Presidential Candidate of the Party, Atiku Abubakar, and his entourage had paid a courtesy call to the Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, at the Government House, and, in a rather controversial manner met with the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, including the revered Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha at same venue.
Not a few Ndigbo were angry over two things. One, that Achebe and the other Monarchs went to the Government House to meet Atiku instead of Atiku going to pay a courtesy call to the Obi in his Palace. They noted that it is the norm in all the States visited so far by Atiku, and other Presidential Candidates and wondered why that of Anambra was different.
Another area of concern was that Igwe Achebe stood up while addressing Atiku. And they said that was disrespectful. No Emir, or Oba, or any other First Class Traditional Ruler will do that.
They also blamed Governor Soludo for allowing the Monarchs to assemble at the Government House to receive Atiku.
But a Group called the Onitsha Media Group has jumped to the defence of Igwe Achebe in a statement it issued on Friday. The Igwe and the Monarchs, they posited, were there for their meetings, which according to the Group holds at Government House at times.
They said the Igwe received Atiku as part of the regular meetings of the Monarchs.
They said that Achebe was not summoned to Awka, as is strongly speculated to receive Atiku in audience, but that the reception was part of their meeting.
However, the Group contradicted itself when it said in the statement it issued that Obi would go to Awka to receive any Presidential Candidate who requests that of him.
It said: “If the PDP Presidential candidate or any other candidate for that matter had requested to be so received, His Majesty would have been duty bound to oblige. This is in line with his customary role as father of all.”
Part of the statement reads:
“His Majesty sits on the throne of Eze Chima, and as the Obi of Onitsha, the Jewel of the Lordly Niger, he traditionally receives Presidents, past and present, Presidential aspirants, foreign dignitaries, notable personalities, the people of Onicha Ado N’Idu at home.
“It would be recalled that the Council had some months ago similarly granted audience to the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in the same room in which it met Mr. Atiku yesterday.
“All courtesy calls are paid at the Ime Obi Ezechima Palace, and anything outside the Palace is not considered a courtesy call.
“Agbogidi, the Obi of Onitsha is the Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC), and in his capacity as Chairman, he regularly hosts meetings of the state’s traditional rulers to discuss issues affecting individual communities, the state and Igbo land at large as well as how to advance the development of Anambra State.
“ASTRC has its headquarters in Awka, and yesterday (Thursday), as part of its regular meeting, received the former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar as a guest.
“If the PDP Presidential candidate or any other candidate for that matter had requested to be so received, His Majesty would have been duty bound to oblige. This is in line with his customary role as father of all.”
However, the statement has been dismissed as an after thought which failed to address the issue by many people.
Said one reaction: “The Obi made a mistake. He belittled his and Ndigbo. He should not do it again, even for the President (Muhammadu Buhari). They should go to his Palace and see him.”
