By Charles Igbo
Joseph Amokachie, who parades himself as Eze Igbo Badagry, has been warned by the Badagry West Local Council Development against building a Palace in the area.
The Badagry West Local Council Development, in a statement signed by the Head, of the Legal Services Unit of the LCDA, Mesewaku M. Stephen Esq.,emphasized that the region has abolished the nomenclature of Eze Ndigbo. The statement also informed that the LCDA has suspended his plans to build a palace for the title holder.
Amokachie, this medium gathered, was soliciting for donations towards building a palace for him as Eze Ndigbo in the area.
But Badagry West LCDA, in its statement, told him and those and those planning such a thing that the Region already has Kings, and warned him to allow the peace enjoyed in the area to subsist.
The statement to Amokachie reads: “Sequel to your letter titled as above, I am directed and instructed by the Chairman, through the Council Manager to write you as follows:
“That Badagry West LCDA is one of the most peaceful Councils in the entirety and environment, due to its receptiveness and acceptance of other tribes.
“That this peaceful coexistence does not just exist without the efforts and sacrifices of indigenous people to overlook some excesses, but also to check them as they unfold.
“That recently, the social media was agog with the conviction of one Frederick who was convicted for parading himself as the Eze Ndigbo of Ajao Estate contravening the Obas and Chiefs Law of Lagos State.
“That we recognize and appreciate the influence of the Igbo Community in the LCDA and we would do nothing to undermine their tradition and culture, but would not allow illegality to prevail and succeed.
“That it is pertinent to note here that Eze Indigbo is not known to the Obas of Lagos State and anything that is not known to law is an illegality.
“That we do not oppose to having a Leader of the Igbos who superintends the affairs and welfare of the Igbo people within Badagry West LCDA but will not allow Eze Indigbo because as at the present state of affairs, Badagry West LCDA
has Two Kings, The Alapa of Apa Kingdom and The Akweno of Kweme Kingdom’. Anything contrary to this is an anomaly and an illegality in its entirety.
“That it is on this note that we direct that any further activities on building of a Palace for the supposed Eze Ndigbo of Badagry West LCDA be suspended with immediate effect and there should not be any such recognition or nomenclature as Eze Ndigbo of Badagry West LCDA forthwith.
“That we recognize the Igbo as a community and we are not opposed to any activities such as New Yam festival and any other traditional rites as long as it does not contravene the Laws of Lagos State and the Bye-Laws of Badagry West LCDA
“That we shall be ready to support the Igbo Community as the Council deems fit but would not support illegality.
“That we do not wish to join issues with the Igbo Community in Badagry West LCDA but we do appreciate a long lasting peaceful coexistence in Badagry West LCDA
“That we hope and anticipate your strict, prompt and swift adherence to this directive.”
Recall, though, that both Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and the Council of South-east Traditional Rulers, have, since, stopped the Igbo outside Igbo Land from parading themselves as Eze Ndigbo or using the title.
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