By Fidel Ozugha
News making rounds in the social media that Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR, mni, (Agbogidi), ‘has been elected Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR).’ is found to be a misinterpretation of information.
In a letter dated 04 March, 2025, emanating from the Onitsha Traditional Council signed by the Chief of Staff, Chief Osita Anionwu (Ike Akatakakwuani of Onitsha) and made available to The NationGuardNews, explained that the position of the coveted office of ”the chairmanship and other offices of the SECTR automatically rotate alphabetically every two years among the five states of the South East.
”Imo State currently holds the chairmanship in the person of His Majesty, Eze Dr. E. C. Okeke, CFR, Ezeude11 of Amaifeke, Chairman of Imo State Traditional Rulers Council (Eze Imo), who, with the unanimous support of the Executive Committee, is wholly responsible for the affairs of the SECTR.”
It would be recalled that at the delegates’ meeting of May 2023, the SECTR designated Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe ”as the leader of the Traditional Institution of the South East, reiterating its decision of two year’s earlier. No executive roles are attached to this designation,” part of the letter disclosed.
The misinterpretation triggered love and loyalty to Igwe Achebe by many people such that they sent numerous congratulatory messages on that to him. Though, undeserved, he received them and wished everyone of the well.
