Obiaruku: The Executive Gov. of Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa has been called to tender unreserved apology to the good people of Ukwuani/Ndokwa following his role in the case of the ‘Executive Bill 33’ of Delta State House of Assembly which has been passed into law on the 9th of November 2016 without due acknowledgement of the rule of law, to replace the Okpala-uku tradition (gerontocracy) of the Umukwata people with an alien tradition or what it christened as “Ukwata” (kingship system).
This was the submission of Comrade Chidi Uwabuofu (a.k.a free thinker), Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader, Ukwuani Local Government Area
In a statement issued by the grassroots sport promoter, he said, “The OKPALA-UKU system is as old as the people themselves. It is our identity; our pride as the people of Ukwuani/Ndokwa, and a tradition that cannot be separated from us. The system is an age long traditional practice of the Ukwuani people as well as other notable ethnic groups in Nigeria which represents the leadership by the oldest person alive at any given time in a community. It is a system which is total in its sovereignty, because it is open, and righteous. The position of the OKPALA-UKU is not an office to be contested, neither is it hereditary nor ordained by any supreme or divine devices. When an OKPALA-UKU dies, the next native of the entire community in accordance with age is simply installed in his place to live out the rest of his wise days presiding over the affairs of his people.
“In this very significant regard, the system has been very effective in totally extinguishing the issues of power tussle which often leads to tension and communal conflict or social crisis, thereby maintaining relative peace over the years…because as we all know, age and
seniority are very important aspects of the native African culture”.
“We know that there have been concerted and deliberate efforts by few individuals to constantly undermine this age long traditional authority for self engradisement. Notably is the case of Umukwata, in Ukwuani Local Government Area. It is questionable for such a bill to find its way right into the gov’s executive bill”
Comrade Chidi raised penetrating questions that remain unanswered to this moment, thus: “since executive power in a state resides with the governor, then how, or rather, through what channels did the recommendation to disrupt the Okpala-uku tradition of Umukwata make its way expressly into the executive bill of the Governor? Why didn’t it pass through the office of the Hon house member representing the constituency of the applicants? Furthermore, does the executive arm have the constitutional power to pass a bill without such bill undergoing due process? Does this mean that Governor Okowa knowingly
or unknowlingly, is a party to the divisive forces which seek to pull our communities apart? Is this the prosperity he advocated or promised during his electioneering campaign?
“Without fear or favour, I want to say that the Executive Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa is guilty on many fronts and it is therefore appropriate for him to tender unreserved apology to the good people of Umukwata and Ukwuani/Ndokwa in general with an explanation or rationale for introducing such an inciting bill to the house of assembly having known the state of affairs in Umukwata”.
“Incidentally, I do not recall any executive bills in the past, to change the tradition of the good people of Ika, where he hails from. Cultural and traditional institutions should be accorded due reverence and recognition because they play a significant role in teaching and preserving the cultural heritage of the people and hence guiding their conduct. The Okpala-Uku system has been very effective in this regard. It has proven valuable in maintaining peace and security in Ukwuani land. It has been equally effective in dealing with power tussle which often leads to tension and communal conflict or social crisis. It is therefore a working system and only anti progressives would undermine or change a system that works”.
“I know, today, being a king in Nigeria is becoming increasingly fashionable, because such office is now formally recognized by the government and as such, if well utilised, can be used to attract development to a community. So I am not against any person becoming a
king, or any community introducing kingship system into their tradition, but it must be done in a manner that would preserve our OKPALA-UKU tradition, period”.
Comrade Chidi Uwabuofu charged Ukwuani leaders to eschew the attitude of putting political/party’s interests ahead of the interest of the people because without people there can be no political party.
