‎PRESERVING THE DIGNITY OF TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION IN ANAMBRA STATE ‎‎ By Ichie Ifeanyi Ndulue

 

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‎Across the world, traditional institutions remain sacred symbols of cultural identity, ancestral heritage, and social harmony. In Igbo land, and particularly in Anambra State, the revered office of the traditional ruler; Igwe, Obi, or Eze, occupies a position of immense dignity and historical importance. These royal fathers are not just figureheads; they are custodians of our customs, guardians of communal values, and moral compasses for our people.

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‎The traditional stool is more than an ornament of culture, it is the soul of the community. Rooted in ancestral wisdom and sustained by the people’s trust, the traditional ruler serves as a stabilizing force in both peaceful and turbulent times.

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‎However, recent developments in our dear Anambra State, particularly the enactment of the Homeland Security Law and the establishment of the Udo Ga Achi security outfit, have introduced complex dynamics that require urgent and honest discourse.

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‎While the Homeland Law is commendable for its intent to bolster local security, it appears to have inadvertently created an imbalance of power at the grassroots level. The significant control now vested in town union President Generals (PGs), particularly over security operatives, has led to a troubling trend in several communities.

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‎There are growing reports that some PGs are now deploying Udo Ga Achi personnel as personal bodyguards or tools of intimidation. In such instances, these community security agents, funded and empowered by the state, are being misused to pursue personal vendettas, stifle dissent, and, worse still, undermine the authority of the traditional rulers.

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‎This emerging reality must not be allowed to fester. It strikes at the very heart of our traditional structure and threatens to erode the respect and relevance of our cultural institutions.

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‎Let us be clear: the office of the traditional ruler is not subordinate to any political or administrative creation, it is ancestral, spiritual, and irreplaceable. No modern construct, no matter how well-intentioned, should be permitted to eclipse its influence or diminish its role in our communities.

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‎To that end, I respectfully propose the following:

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‎1. Reaffirm the Primacy of the Traditional Institution: The Anambra State Government must recognize and reaffirm the traditional ruler as the highest authority in community matters, especially those concerning culture, land, and peace-building.

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‎2. Establish Oversight Mechanisms for PGs: The activities of PGs, particularly with regard to the use of state-backed security personnel, must be subject to proper checks and balances. Accountability is not a threat to leadership, it is its foundation.

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‎3. Promote Partnership, Not Power Struggles: PGs and traditional rulers must operate as partners, not rivals. Their roles should be complementary, not competitive. Government policies should encourage this balance and discourage undue power concentration.

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‎4. Protect the Sanctity of Traditional Thrones: Traditional rulers must be afforded the dignity, support, and protection that their office demands. This includes adequate security, government recognition, and the exclusion of any acts that diminish their authority before their subjects.

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‎5. Review and Refine the Homeland Security Framework: The Homeland Law, while noble in intention, must be periodically reviewed to ensure it remains a tool for communal security, not personal power projection.

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‎Our communities must not become arenas of silent conflict between modern governance structures and age-old institutions. We cannot afford to allow our revered thrones to be overshadowed or eroded by political convenience or administrative oversight.

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‎Let us, therefore, rise in unity and wisdom. Let us reaffirm our respect for our traditional rulers, protect the sanctity of their office, and ensure that town union leadership serves the people, not the ego of individuals.

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‎In preserving the dignity of our traditional institutions, we preserve the soul of our people.

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‎ *Ichie Ifeanyi Ndulue* 

‎(Chief Onyima Enugwu-Agidi)

‎ _Advocate for Cultural Preservation and Renaissance_