In order to make room for the continuing construction of a flyover in the sub-urban center of Ekwulobia, the headquarters of Aguata Local Council, Governor of Anambra State Professor Chukwuma Soludo has threatened to destroy spiritual and material property, including the Udo deity,this has angered some people.
In response to the cult-related murders of three people at the Ukwu-Udala and Ukwuoji axis of the community, traditional worshipers of the Chukwunedu Anene-anchored Udo deity in Amikwo-Alka in Alka South Local Council held the celebration of Nkwa Festival in honor of Udo deity, the god of peaceful sojourn and return to community.
According to information obtained by The Guardian, the traditional ruler of Omor, Ayamelum Local Council of the State, was pressured to skip the event by Chief Patrick Nweke, the caretakers of the Awka annual moon counting ritual performance (Akadiana-Awka).
According to Nweke, who spoke to The Guardian, Igwe Oranu extended the invitation in appreciation of the newly formed brotherhood between Omor in the Ayamelum Local Council and Amikwo in the Awka, Awka South Local Council. Ikwo, a traveling hunter and traditional medicine man, migrated to Awka to establish Amikwo-Alka, Nweke said.
Enugwu Nanka, Orumba North Local Council, advised that personalities should have alternative means of settling issues or provoking the traditional priests rather than involving outsiders or neutral communities.
Similarly, the Chief priest, Udo Olulu Eke Ekwulobia, who simply identified himself as Okenye (the Ancient One), said: “Tell Soludo that Okenye is talking and should not throw stone while he literally lives in a glass house.”
Okenye contended: “If Soludo thinks government owns the site of the Udo Olulu Eke in Ekwulobia, let him dare to destroy or remove it without due process.”
He said the forceful demolition occasioned by the plan to build a flyover is a good plan, but noted that the Governor does not have the slightest inkling of the repercussion in-wait, stressing that the message was what he was asked to go and deliver.
(The Guardian)