Our traditional rulers should be respected —Obiano

He said the people of the region should learn how to respect monarchs like their counterparts in other parts of the country.

He said henceforth his administration would not take it lightly with any community in the state that looks down on its monarch for whatever reason.

Obiano spoke through his Special Adviser on Security, Safety and Emergency, Dr Chikodi Anarah.

The governor’s admonition followed a solidarity march by the people of Umunya in the Oyi Local Government Area of the state on Saturday in support of their monarch, Igwe Kris Onyekwuje.

A protest against the Igwe took place on Monday.

The Odumodu quarters of the community, comprising mostly of women had on Monday protested to the Government House, Awka, alleging intimidation and indiscriminate arrest of their sons and husbands by Igwe Onyekwuluje.

They accused the monarch of land grabbing, adding that no fewer than five persons from the community had been detained in the police on the instruction of the monarch.

The spokesperson for the protesters, Obed Nweke implored the governor to intervene and save them from the stranglehold of the monarch.

Addressing the pro-Onyekwluje group at the Government House, Obiano called for respect for traditional institutions, while assuring of quick intervention in the matter to ensure justice.

He said, “We need to respect our monarchs the way it is done in other parts of the country. If you go to the West and Northern parts of the country, you will notice that the traditional institutions are revered. That we must do here under my watch.

“When the protesters came here on Monday to protest against the monarch, I told them that I must hear from the other side because it takes two to tango.

“That day, if you were here you would think the monarch was a devil, but today that I have seen you people, I can say that Igwe is not the problem.

“The Igwe is not claiming anybody’s land; he just intervenes to make peace. Nobody should denigrate him for that. I assure you that we shall handle this matter and ensure that peace reigns.