- By Ngozi Onwukwe, Aba
Etiti-Ohazu autonomous community in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State has adopted a democratic voting process to decide who will ascend the vacant throne of the famous kingdom.
The throne of Etiti Ohazu, one of the ancient kingdoms in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of Abia State has been vacant after the demise of its former king, HRH Eze Ishmael Nnakwu, few years ago.
Aba City Blog reports that Etiti Ohazu, as one of the urban communities in Aba Metropolis is situated in the heart of the commercial city and has one of the largest settlement of residents in the entire city.
The Chairman Ezeship (kingship) Selection Committee of Etiti Ohazu Autonomous Community, Deacon Obioma Ekpem said that the community has decided to set a good precedence for other communities and for future purposes.
Ekpem said they have adopted the possibly available peaceful and democratic means that will allow all groups in the community from the youths, women and men to be part of the selection of who will be their king, as the election has been fixed on February 4th, 2021.
According to him, after the call for application and buying of forms, two illustrious sons of Etiti Ohazu; High Chief Erengwa Chibundu and His Honour Ogbonna Blessing are the two waiting to be chosen by the people as their new king.
The two Ezeship aspirants were presented to the people of Etiti Ohazu on Thursday in Aba, at the community’s town union hall at Obohia road, where they presented their manifestos awaiting the February 4th, 2021 Ezeship election.
“We’ve called for applications by making the forms available. Those interested have purchased the forms and we’re presenting all those interested today to our people for them to see. We don’t want to do anything in secret.
“From our records, we already have two persons from Umumba village that are ready to contest. High Chief Erengwa Chibundu and His Honour High Chief Ogbonna Blessing also bought form.
“That’s why we said we must present both persons to you people to choose from the two. Today, they’ll be given opportunities to present what they have to offer to the people and you’ll ask them questions according to what they said and concerning our customs and traditions. Come February 4th, 2021, we all shall gather here again to choose who’ll lead us.”
He listed the eligible to voters to include; all the Village heads, all the titled chiefs, all the men executive of Etiti Ohazu Development Union, all the women executive of EODU, all the Youth executive of EODU.
Aba City Blog reports that many who came to the even applauded the peaceful and democratic method adopted by the people of Etiti Ohazu and called for other communities where issue of kingship have become problem to see how to adopt the new method chosen by the Aba Community.
