A group, under the auspices of Umuoji Patriots, has denounced what they described as a ‘disgraceful’ outing by the self-acclaimed “Igwe Umuoji”, Chief Kanayo Okoye who was caught on tape parading himself as “Igwe” of Umuoji, a community in Anambra State.
Umuoji Patriots made the remarks in a statement made available to News Band on Tuesday.
In an undated video poorly taken by an amateur, Chief Okoye was seen taking accolades reserved for traditional rulers from onlookers and spraying Naira noted to a group of women dancers.
The video was captioned: “Royal Majesty Anayo Okoye (Omekannia) Ohazulunye (Millennium King Umuoji Igwulube Okodu) appreciates prestigious Egwu Obi Musical Group Umuoli Village Umuoji Igwulube Okodu“.
Watch below the video of the self-acclaimed “Igwe Umuoji” spraying Naira notes to women dancers:
Desist from usurping power, Umuoji Patriots warn Okoye
Recall that in an earlier publication made on August 13, 2024, News Band reported that Umuoji Patriots warned Okoye, the Managing Director/CEO of Jukok Engineering Company, to desist from usurping power through the back door in the ongoing leadership tussle.
The group asked the self-acclaimed “Igwe Umuoji” to allow the law of the land to reign supreme and desist from imposing himself against the will of the people.
The Patriots noted that Okoye has been fighting the people of the community and the constitution, even initiating a suit against the community, while trying to impose himself as the Igwe.
In the article entitled “Umuoji Igweship tussle: Stop parading yourself as Igwe! Umuoji Patriots warn Kanayo Okoye“, they asked him to retrace his steps and desist from pushing the peaceful community above the cliff.
Reacting to the video, a concerned indigene of Umuoji said of the self-acclaimed traditional ruler:
“Delusional and desperate Chief Anayo Okoye who wants to be Igwe of Umuoji by fraud after scoring 72 votes against the winners 913 votes in a contest. What a disgrace?”
How it all began
Way back in 2021, the contest to elect the Igwe held on Saturday, May 8 but was declared inconclusive by the Chief Returning Officer, Mr. Chukwuemeka Joe Nsika (Nnanyelugo Siwo).
The election sought to install a new traditional ruler following the death of the late Igwe, HRH Cyril Enweze.
Three candidates contested the election for a new Igwe, viz: Chief Anaeto Simeon Muogbo, Chief Kanayo Okoye, and Chief Obiora Stephen Onwuachu.
According to information gathered by our correspondent, Kanayo Okoye won the election by a simple majority with 473 votes, over and above Chief Simeon Muogbo, who scored 459 votes.
Chief Stephen Onwuachu emerged second runner-up with 359 votes.
However, according to the constitution of the community, an Igwe will only emerge based on two-third majority.
The chieftaincy constitution of Umuoji, Section 2.3 on method of selection, paragraph F stipulated that “where only two candidates qualify for election, the one securing a simple majority by secret ballot shall be declared elected. Where more than two candidates qualify, the candidate who scores two-thirds of the votes cast of the first ballot shall be declared elected… when no candidate scores up to two-thirds of the first ballot, a run-off election shall be arranged for the two candidates scoring the highest votes.”
Chief Returning Officer declares election inconclusive
Based on the outcome of the Umuoji community election, the Chief Returning Officer, Mr. Chukwuemeka Joe Nsika Nnanyelugo Siwo), declared the election inconclusive.
A chieftain of Umuoji and one of the conductors of the election, Mr. Nsika said regarding the poll:
“For the avoidance of doubt, the election for an Igwe did not produce one.
“Rather, it produced two contestants for a run-off election in accordance with our chieftaincy constitution.
“We prepared for a run-off election for Sunday, May 9, but it will not hold.
“We were told that election for two days is unacceptable by the state government. Hence, payment was made for only one day.
“The runoff must be held on a date to be agreed by the state government and payment made by the PG.
“I made it abundantly clear that the election did not produce an Igwe but a first and second contestants for the runoff which lies with both the PG and Awka to resolve.
“I am happy to have conducted an election that is free, fair and credible.”
He noted that “the run-off election must be held as soon as possible, may be within one month” to conclusively elect the new Igwe.
The Kanayo Okoye saga
However, it soon became apparent that the declaration did not go down well with Chief Okoye and his supporters.
Rather than comply with the outcome of the election, Okoye declared himself winner, went home with his supporters merrying and shouting “there will be no run-off election!”
Eventually, a runoff election was conducted under the direct supervision of the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Following the election, Chief Muogbo defeated Chief Okoye with about 700 votes difference and was declared Igwe.
Apparently disgruntled by the outcome of events, Okoye lashed out against the President General of Umuoji Improvement Union of Nigeria (UIUN), Chief Silas Onyima (Ogidi).
He asked Chief Onyima to be installed as the new Igwe contrary to the town’s Constitution after an inconclusive election in which he declared himself the winner.
Okoye will later initiate a suit against the community in his unbridled effort to impose himself as the Igwe.
On one occasion, an indigene of Umuoji told News Band that Okoye was heard bragging to anyone who cared to listen that he will prolong the suit as long as he could and remain the Igwe while the conundrum lasts.
Okoye loses run-off election
The run-off election was eventually conducted on June 8, 2021, and Muogbo defeated Okoye with 913 votes to 72.
See the run-off election result below:
Reacting to the election, the Umuoji President-General upheld the result as transparent and self-evident.
Unfortunately, some unidentified gunmen, on February 23, 2024, assassinated Onyimah for some reasons yet to be fathomed.
It is in the light of these developments that Umuoji Patriots called on Anayo Okoye to desist from his anti-people antics that could fling the community over the cliff.
Read the full story of the Umuoji election, as well as the run-off election, below:
https://news.band/umuoji-igweship-tussle-stop-parading-yourself-as-igwe-umuoji-patriots-warn-kanayo-okoye/
The law against Naira abuse
Besides the “shameful” action of Okoye in trying to usurp power indiscriminately, some concerned indigenes of Umuoji have also denounced the act of abusing the Naira.
One such indigene, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid being victimised, lamented that instead of being a pace setter, Okoye has proved to be a law breaker.
“The Nigerian law against abuse of the Naira is clear: no spraying, no stamping, no defacing, no selling, etc. of the Naira.
“How can someone who wants to be a custodian of the law turn around and break the same law he wants to protect,” he lamented.
What does the law say?
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) warned that those abusing the naira notes were liable to go to jail.
CBN also warned that the law banning the “spraying’’ and the stepping on the naira notes, especially at social gatherings was still in force and offenders were liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of N50,000, or both.
Sections 20 & 21 of CBN Act warned against the abuse of the Naira.
The objective of the Act includes “to stem the abuse that the Naira is constantly subjected to, increase the active life of Naira notes and coins and promote confidence in their usage as medium of exchange, refusal to accept the Naira, trading in Naira notes and coins, spraying of the Naira and all such abuses have been criminalized and appropriate sanctions imposed.”
Recently, two Nigerian socialites, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, and Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, were dragged to court for abusing the Naira.
Bobrisky even served a six-month jail term for the abuse of the Naira.
It is left to be seen if the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will cast their dragnet in the direction of Kanayo Okoye.
If arrested, Okoye will fall in line with the likes of Bobrisky and Cubana Chief Priest as an abuser of the Nigerian national currency.