BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO, Onitsha

The chieftaincy tussle which is currently rocking Atani community in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, the country home of Prof. Ben Nwabueze, a constitutional lawyer, appeared to have climaxed with the presentation of two Ezes-elect by two factional groups.

The first group known as Group ‘B’ had early this year, selected and presented one Mr. Anthony Ngodi of Umudaike Village, Atani to the local government officials for onward transmission to the state government for recognition as the new Igwe-elect of the community, a development which attracted mass protest from a factional group known as Atani Group ‘A’.

Barely a month after their peaceful demonstration at the local government secretariat, Group ‘A’ selected one Chief Ferdinand Nnamdi Azaka from Umuekeke Village, Atani as their own Eze-elect and also presented him to the local government authorities for onward transmission to the state government for recognition as the royal father of the community.

Although the presentation ceremony was done off camera, as directed by the council authorities, the chairman of the local government,  Chief Victor Nwachukwu Agolue, who granted them audience at the traditional rulers council hall, located within the local government secretariat, promised to take their application to the state government for necessary action.

Agolue however urged them to go all out for a peaceful co-existence in the community, because according to him, development eludes any community that is not at peace.

During a brief presentation ceremony, the Deputy President of Atani Town Union, Chief Amamchukwu Okeluwa noted that they were presenting Nnamdi Azaka because it is the turn of Group ‘A’ to ascend the royal throne since Group ‘B’ had had its own turn with the reign of the late Igwe Ezike who reigned for years and joined his ancestors

Also speaking, Chiefs Benjamin Ukodei, the Omu of Atani and Obiwulu Ezekude, the Adua of Atani, advised the state government not to recognize any of the two candidates so far presented until a peaceful deal is struck in the area, or else recognizing any of the selected candidates could lead to a catastrophic level..

Meanwhile, Chief Sam Idowu Uzor, a retired banker from Group ‘B’ is also laying claims to the royal throne as according to him, he had long been selected by the Atani king makers.

Uzor who spoke to newsmen in his office in Onitsha, said he was selected few years ago to ascend the throne because it is the turn of his own kindred to occupy the throne, adding that while he is still making some efforts to reconcile all the factions and maintain peace in the area and at the same time taking other chieftaincy titles in preparation for ascending the throne, Group ‘B’ now claimed to have disqualified him and selected Ngodi who is not even based in Nigeria.

He disclosed that he was already on his way to the court to reclaim his mandate.