The controversial traditional ruler of Umunya community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chris Onyekwuluje is dead.
He was aged 61.
The monarch, who was coronated 25 years ago, died in Abuja two days ago after a long battle with cancer related issues, reports The Nation.
The president general of the community, Chief Innocent Nwabueze (Oyi of Oyi), described the death as unfortunate and sad.
He said: “We have to face the reality of life, it’s one of those things. Our monarch has traveled and when he’s coming back we don’t really know, but it’s a very sad situation for us.”
Another source, who did not want to be mentioned, said: “Though he did most things wrongly in our community, his death is not a social media thing. Umunya has a procedure of announcing the death of its traditional ruler.”
Onyekwuluje was conspicuous during the administration of the late former Governor of Anambra State, Chinwoke Mbadinuju.
He was the contractor that erected the mast in the premises of Anambra Broadcasting Corporation ABS that killed some number of people.
Recently in his community, he was said to have told his people that he would rule them for up to 100 years, the statement that infuriated some of the elders.
Anambra State
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne described his death as a huge loss.
He commiserated with the people of Umunya over the incident, praying for his soul to find eternal rest in the Almighty.
The Eze-Nya I, it was gathered, had proposed a Town Union election of his community for December 31.
According to sources, the monarch’s demise might result in a shift of the poll date by the community, as a mark of honour to him.
The late monarch, survived assassination attempt in 2015 when the men of the Special Anti-Robbery squad (SARS) foiled such an attempt from some evil men.
The most controversial moment was when he erected a slaughter house in his community at the back of the house of one influential son of the area.
The community fought him to a stand still until the abattoir was forcefully removed, while the rich man returned to his palatial home.
