With the mourning period over for the Late Eze Owerri, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, the race for a successor has begun in earnest, this online newspaper was told.
Eze Njemanze passed on 2016 and since then no one has been coronated to take his place.
However, before his death, the traditional institution was balkanized with the Imo State Government acting on the resolution of the Imo State House of Assembly balkanizing the traditional institution of Owerri. The Five communities that make up Owere Nchi Ise were accorded with autonomy thus now have traditional rulers- a move which has not gone down well with majority of Amawom community where the late Eze Njemanze hails from.
Announcing the end of the mourning period, the Eke na Okorie Traditional Council, the kingmakers of Eze Owerre in a statement signed by Gisbon Ofoegbu, Reginald Ebere, Prince Declan Njemanze, Oshieze Chief Njoku, Festus Amadioha, Prince Donald A. Njemanze, Boniface N. Osuji Onyeagocha and Mark Osuji, said announced the end of the mourning period
The statement reads “ This is to inform the general public and particularly Nde Owerre that the mourning period of our late King, Eze (Dr) Emmanuel Njemanze FSPN, OON, KSC Ozuruigbo V of Owere comes to an end on Saturday, 23rd December, 2017.
“ Activities to mark this event will be communicated to the general public when arrangements are completed”
“Eke-na-Okorie Traditional Council wishes to thank all and sundry immensely for the invaluable support and patience throughout the mourning period. God bless all”
Though the Council was silent who takes over from the Late Eze Njemanze, there are indications that with the mourning period over the race for a sucessor begins. It is unclear if the new Eze will be proclaimed “Eze Owerre” or “Eze Amawom”
