Eze Njemanze's Owerri Kingdom Divided, As Imo Govt Recognise Autonomous Traditional Rulers

Eze NJEMANZE

In what appears a clear division of the kingdom of the ancient city of Owerri, the Imo State Government Thursday recognized the autonomy of the five villages that make up Owere Nchi Ise- Owerri Municipal.

For decades, Owerri community  have been ruled by the Njemanze Royal Dynasty of Amawom village. This has been strongly opposed by the component communities that make up Owerri municipal.

Attempts in the past to wrestle traditional authority from the Njemanze’s have been futile.

After granting autonomous status to the five villages that make up Owerri recently, the State Governor finally 

issued staff of authority to the five Traditional rulers that make Owere Nchi Ise which implies that the overall traditional status of Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, the present overall  Eze Owere( Traditional Ruler)  has been weakened.

Efforts to speak to the monarch on the development was futile but some sources close to him said he is "victimized" for his staunch support for the opposition PDP. 

Njemanze was among some traditional rulers who fraternized with the PDP having defied a government directive not to receive then President Goodluck Jonathan during one of his campaign tours to Imo State.

His Palace was rocked by fire in 2014. Till date, the State Government has refused to aid the Monarch to repair his burnt palace as he currently resides outside his kingdom.