The League of Awka Professionals has revealed its intention to institute legal action against Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo and the Anambra State Government for what it describes as undue interference in the community’s ancient traditional institution stool.

The group, comprising prominent professionals, indigenes, and stakeholders from Awka, insists that Obi Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu II) was legitimately dethroned years ago due to actions which violated the customs and traditions of Awka people, hence, Nwosu has since failed to perform key traditional roles, including the organization and celebration of major festivals that are central to the cultural life of the kingdom.

According to the President of the group, OZO Barr. E.C.G. Okechukwu, former Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association, Awka and former Secretary, Awka Council of Kingmakers, “By the clear provisions of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law, once a monarch is found to have acted against the customs and traditions of his people and is incapacitated in the discharge of his sacred duties, he automatically ceases to hold the stool.”

A statement from the League read in part. “Obi Gibson Nwosu is visually impaired and has not held any major festival in Awka for considerable years, rendering him unfit to continue as the traditional ruler.”

The League strongly maintains that Obi Dr. Austin Ndigwe JP MON, Ezeuzu III, is the legitimate and duly crowned monarch of Awka Kingdom.

According to them, he was properly crowned by the competent traditional authorities within the community following due process rooted in Awka customs.

Central to the group’s position is the principle that the selection, installation, and crowning of a traditional ruler in Awka and indeed in most Igbo communities is the exclusive preserve of the people through their customary processes, town unions, kingmakers, and titled elders.

They argued that the state government’s role is limited to recognition and issuance of a certificate of recognition, and not to impose, veto, or interfere in the substantive choice of the community.

“Only the community selects and crowns its traditional ruler. The state government has no power under any law to dictate who becomes the monarch or to nullify a legitimate traditional installation,” the League reiterated.

“Governor Soludo’s panel and subsequent actions amount to an overreach and a dangerous precedent that undermines the autonomy of traditional institutions across Anambra State.”

The League of Awka Professionals therefore dismissed the panel’s findings as an “academic exercise” that cannot override the will and customs of the Awka people.

They accused the state of deploying government machinery to suppress the legitimate monarch while ignoring the community’s traditional authority.

The professionals vowed to approach the courts to challenge what they term “persistent and unlawful interference” by the state government in the Awka traditional ruler stool.

They described the recent Commission of Inquiry set up by the governor which reportedly reaffirmed Obi Gibson Nwosu as biased, procedurally flawed, and lacking jurisdiction over purely traditional matters.

The League emphasized that dragging the matter to court is not merely about two individuals but about preserving the sanctity of Awka’s customs against external encroachment.

“We are prepared to go all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary to defend the right of Awka people to choose their own leader according to our time-honoured traditions,” the statement added.

“No governor, no panel, and no White Paper can rewrite the history and customs of Awka Kingdom.”

The League of Awka Professionals called on all well-meaning Awka indigenes, professionals, and traditionalists to rally behind the defense of their cultural heritage.

They also urged Governor Soludo to respect the limits of governmental power and allow the community to resolve its internal affairs without undue meddling.