BY VINCENT UJUMADU
AWKA—Umeje  community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State was, Monday,  thrown into confusion, following the decision of the people to depose their traditional ruler, Igwe Elias Nneli, who had been on the throne for 34 years.

In a reaction, Nneli said he was still the traditional ruler, noting that the attempt to remove him was mischievous.
The community has written to Governor Peter Obi, urging him to withdraw the certificate of recognition and staff of office issued to the traditional ruler.

The letter to the governor, dated July 18, 2011, was also copied   the state police commissioner, Mr. Muhtari Ibrahim, State Security Services, State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, among other bodies.

President-General of Umueje Improvement Union,UIU, Mr. Ifeanyi Odogwu, and his deputy, Mr. Joseph Emengini, at a news conference in Awka yesterday, warned people not to deal with Nneli in the name of the community.

But Nneli, who was at a lecture to mark the 50th birthday of Governor Obi at the Women Development Centre, Awka, said: “Nobody has deposed me; nobody is going to do that. I am ready to defend myself anywhere in this world if called upon to do so.”

Nneli, further alleged that those drumming the embers of discord were a section of the community, stating that he has not committed any crime that could lead to such an action by the community.

According to them, the community has begun the process to select a replacement for Nneli as the decision to depose him was final.

One of his alleged offences was that he had been operating without a Council of Chiefs since 1977 when he was installed, adding that he was the only traditional ruler in Anambra State without such a council..

In addition, the community accused him of writing a petition to the police alleging that members of the community’s vigilance group were using pump action guns to terrorize people in the area which they considered a taboo because such a thing never happened at Umueje.

They also accused him of misappropriating millions of naira belonging to the community and refused to account for it, adding that such a behaviour had brought shame to Umueje.

“His atrocities are many. We have stomached all these things for so long and we have decided not to continue like this.
“The removal of Nneli is unanimous without any counter motion and a vote of no confidence has been passed on him. So the decision of the community is final,” they said.

But Igwe Nneli, who was at a lecture to mark the 50th birthday anniversary of Governor Obi at the Women Development Centre, Awka, yesterday insisted that he was still the traditional ruler of Umueje.
He said: “Nobody has deposed me; nobody is going to do that. I am ready to defend myself anywhere in this world if called upon to do so.”

Nneli, further alleged that those drumming the embers of discord were a section of the community, stating that he has not committed any crime that could lead to such an action by the community.