The people of Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, have issued a strong rebuke against the state government led by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Their condemnation follows the government's attempt to discredit a chieftaincy title conferred on the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Government Interference Sparks Cultural Backlash
On 3 January 2026, the Anambra State Government publicly dismissed the conferment of the title "Anyanwu N'Awalu Ora" (The Light of the Community) on Bianca Ojukwu. The government labelled the event as 'fake,' arguing that the traditional ruler who performed the ceremony, His Imperial Majesty, Obi Dr Austin Chukwuezugo Ndigwe, Ezeuzu III of Awka, was an impostor.
This stance has been met with fierce resistance from the concerned sons and daughters of Awka Ancient Kingdom and supporters of Igbo heritage. They view the government's action as an unwarranted overreach that undermines the sovereignty of their traditional institutions.
Awka Defends Its Traditional Sovereignty
In a statement delivered by Prof. Emmanuel Obi on behalf of the community, the group articulated a powerful defense of their cultural autonomy. They emphasized that the traditions and customs of Awka are sacred and are not subject to state bureaucracy or political motives.
The statement clarified that Obi Dr Austin Ndigwe was unanimously elected and crowned as Ezeuzu III by the Oha Awka (Council of Elders), the Ndichie (titled men), and the broader community. This process, they insist, reflects the collective will of the Awka people and is rooted in deep consultations and ancestral rituals.
The community described the title bestowed upon Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as a fitting recognition. They honoured her as a distinguished daughter of Igboland, the widow of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu (Ikemba Nnewi), and a symbol of grace and service. They highlighted her role as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in elevating the profile of Anambra and Igboland globally.
A Call for Respect and a Warning Against Division
The Awka representatives issued a stern reminder to the Soludo administration. They stated that traditional rulership in Igboland predates the Nigerian state and operates independently of government certificates. The government's role, they argued, should be to support and protect these institutions, not to meddle in them for partisan reasons.
They warned that such interference historically sows division and weakens community cohesion. The statement called on Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo to immediately retract all statements discrediting the title and to respect the decisions of the Awka people.
The community concluded with a firm declaration: the crowning of Ezeuzu III stands as a testament to their unity, and Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu's title remains valid, honoured, and celebrated by those who truly understand and value Awka traditions.
