Owerri, Imo – The Imo State government has disassociated itself from the crises trailing the alleged imposition of an Eze-elect on the Umuokanne Community in the Ohaji/Egbema council area.

Addressing members of the Association of Ohaji/Egbema Practising Journalists during their visit to her office, the Imo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Mrs Ruby Emele, said that no new autonomous community had been legally created from the existing Umuokanne Autonomous Community.

She remarked that due process is always followed in creating an autonomous community in line with the stipulations of the community’s Traditional Stool constitution, whether hereditary or rotational.

The Commissioner advised those seeking a new autonomous community in Umuokanne to go about it cordially, orderly, legally, and traditionally to avoid a breach of peace and orderliness.

She reiterated that in recent times, the Imo State Government, under Governor Hope Uzodimma, had only made replacements of traditional rulers who had passed away.

She said: “Umuokanne used to be one autonomous community, but some people at a time started looking for autonomy, which clearly must follow due process. Until you have an Executive Action (Staff of Office and Certificate of Recognition given), nobody is legally an Eze or Eze-elect.”

She categorically stated that the creation of an autonomous community should be a straightforward process, adding that one must legally follow the necessary steps until it becomes fully recognised.

She said, “The new autonomous community some people in Umuokanne are looking for can only be possible when the government approves it. Until then, Umuokanne remains one legal autonomous community.”

Emele warned that such a move should not create problems in the community. Instead, she urged the people to love one another, remain peaceful, and continue the process legally and orderly.

She pointed out that it is just a proposed autonomous community and added that those pushing for it should allow the government to decide.

She said, “Government did not originate any Ezeship Stool tussle there. They should be patient, not violent about it. It requires patience.”

According to her, the process of replacing a deceased Eze begins with mourning, and after one year—according to the contents of the community’s Ezeship Stool constitution—a replacement may be selected. The chosen or elected Eze-elect is then presented to the Local Government for recommendation.

Mrs Emele remarked that she was appointed to faithfully and dutifully serve the government and humanity with empathy, adding that this has been her watchword.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association of Ohaji/Egbema Practising Journalists, Oloko Reginald, commended the Commissioner for performing her duties diligently and passionately, which he identified as evident in the reduced Ezeship Stool tussles and relative peace in the communities.

He said: “You have been up and doing. Since you assumed office, Ezeship Stool tussles have drastically reduced in Imo communities. We commend you for being a real apostle and an appointee of the Governor.”