A socio-cultural group, the Unity Forum for Ikwuano, has called on Chief Charles O. Ukattah to stop parading himself as the Eze of Isiala Ahaba Community in Oloko Clan, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
In a statement jointly signed on Thursday by its Chairman, Emmanuel Obiora, and Secretary, Chima Onyedika, the group described Chief Ukattah’s action as an abomination against the tradition and customs of Oloko Clan, Ikwuano and Abia State.
According to the group, Chief Charles Ukattah, who claims to be Eze-elect of Isiala Ahaba, refused to follow due process as laid down for the selection of traditional rulers.
The group disclosed that despite being warned by the Oloko Clan Council and the Ikwuano Council of Ndi Eze, Chief Ukattah went ahead to coronate himself and has since been parading himself as HRH and Eze.
The Unity Forum stressed that selection and presentation to the Local Government Council does not make one an Eze, nor does it confer the impetus for coronation.
“To do coronation, an Eze-elect must be issued with the Staff of Office by the Executive Governor of Abia State through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. One dressing and parading himself as Eze without this is a disgrace that must be exposed for others to learn a lesson,” the group stated.
The group therefore called on other Eze-elects in Oloko Clan to take note and desist from such illegality.
They also called on the Ikwuano Local Government Council, the Ikwuano Council of Ndi Eze, and the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to take note and act to preserve the sanctity of the traditional institution.
Meanwhile, a source from the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, confirmed having knowledge of the fake traditional ruler, saying he also goes about with a plate number that suggests he is a traditional ruler.
