This Eze Must Die!

When the traditional ruler of Ogbujioma Community in Ogbaku, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze (Alhaji) Shitu Ejiogu was converting to the Moslem faith, he did not know he was courting the wrath of his people. (Picture shows Eze Shitu Ejiogu)

The traditional ruler’s decision has set him in a collision course with some influential members of the community who are leaving no stone unturned to dethrone him.

Initially, the Eze was of the Catholic faith, where he also wedded. But he converted to the Moslem faith last year. The monarch said his reasons for converting to Islam are personal. But his opponents insist that his decision was as a result of monetary inducement.

Nze Philip Okoro, the traditional Prime Minister of the community, is one of those who share this view. He insists that it was corrupt inducement and loss of sense of decency that prompted Eze Alhaji Shitu Ejiogu to convert to the Muslim faith. Nze Okoro, also, notes that the Eze has received the Sultan of Sokoto in his palace and shuttles the North and the Middle East, including Pakistan. Part of the allegation of the traditional prime minister is that Eze Ejiogu, following conversion, presently enjoys a new lease of economic life, including cruising about in an exotic jeep, as well as upgrading his palace.

But Eze Ejiogu remains unruffled with the agitations of his people, citing provisions of the Nigerian constitution which, in his contention, guarantees him freedom of religion.

“In as much as the 1999 constitution guarantees freedom of worship and association, it is my inalienable right to choose the religion of my choice. My new religion is not in conflict with the traditions and customs of my people, and Islam as a religion would not, in any way, affect my duties as a traditional ruler”, Eze Ejiogu quips.

But the Eze’s traducers have vowed not to rest on their oars. They insist he has to renounce Islam in order to continue as their Eze. His critics maintain that his sole aim of converting to Islam is to sow a seed of discord in the community, and, eventually, convert the entire community to Islam, which is predominantly Christians.

To the traditional prime minister, “Eze Ejiogu’s conversion from Christianity to Islam is to sow seeds of discord in our autonomous community which is predominantly Christians. We regret making him our Eze. He should look for another autonomous community where Muslims are dominant and become an Eze over there”.

But Gideon Ugorji, President-General of the community’s town union, sees the issue differently. In Ugorji’s opinion, Eze Ejiogu has the freedom to change his religions without any restrictions.

“The Nigerian constitution gives room for freedom of religion. So, if our Eze chooses to become a Muslim, I personally do not have anything against that”, states the President-General.

Ugorji, further, notes: “What matters most to me is his conducts, not his religion because when we were pursuing our autonomous community he played a very significant role both financially and morally though he was a Christian then”.

Embattled Eze, however, offers some explanations on why he chose to convert to Islam religion, saying his decision was borne out his conviction that the religion holds more promises for his religious needs.

The Eze maintains that his decision was not taken in isolation. Said he: “Before converting to Islam, I invited my subjects to my palace, and they came en masse. The leaders of each community that make up my autonomous community were all in attendance”.

Eze Ejiogu adds that none of the community leaders was against his decision to convert to the Moslem religion then, except one person who, he said, his opinion did not matter in the scheme of things within the community. He says apart from himself, lots of his people have embraced already Islam, worshiping together with him at the mosque in his place.

The rift had, at a point, shifted to the law court, with the opposing group being the plaintiffs. And the suit, among other things, sought to restrain Ejiogu from continuing as the monarch of the community pending the determination of the substantive suit. But the intervention of the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, led to what seemed like a cease-fire in the impasse. Ilomuanya was able to prevail on Eze Ejiogu’s traducers to sheathe their swords while his council seeks out a more peaceful means of resolving the communal crisis.