For the second time, a claimant to the traditional stool of the Awka Kingdom, Chief Austin Ndigwe, has dared the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, insisting that he is the rightful traditional ruler of the community.
Nwosu had claimed that the monarch of the town, Obi Gibson Nwosu, was allegedly dethroned some three years ago, and continues to lay claims to the throne, prompting the governor to institute a panel to determine who the rightful monarch is.
The panel had in its report submitted last month, affirmed Nwosu as the rightful monarch, and the state government had also issued a White Paper on the report, warning Ndigwe to stop parading himself as monarch.
But a week ago at a traditional function, Ndigwe paraded himself as a monarch, having previously described the panel’s recommendation as a mere academic exercise.
Ndigwe has now taken the challenge a notch higher to further stamp his authority, in defiance to Soludo’s order by announcing the date of the widely celebrated Egwu Imoka festival, a traditional event that celebrates the culture of the land.
The announcement, as contained on Ndigwe’s official Facebook page, read;
The Eze Odinani of Awka Kingdom, Obu Dr. Chukwuezugo Austin Ndigwe, MON, JP, EzeUzu III, has announced the dates for the 2026 Egwu Imoka Cultural Festival following the consultation by the Imo Awka Chief Priest.
The announcement highlights:
– Umuokpu Day on the 18th
– Opueke Day on the 22nd
– Egwu Imoka Day on the 23rd of May 2026
These dates form part of the sacred timeline of the age-long Imo Awka festival, a vibrant celebration that honors Imoka, the guardian goddess of Awka people, while reinforcing unity, cultural heritage, and spiritual renewal across the 33 villages of the ancient kingdom.
In a statement issued by Obu Austin Ndigwe, the Eze Odinani of Awka Kingdom, he described the dates released by the Chief Priest of Imo Awka shrine as a positive step that upholds the sanctity and continuity of Awka’s rich traditions.
Outlining the significance of the celebration, Ndigwe explained that the full Imo Awka festival spans about two weeks and includes preparatory rites such as Ede-Mmuo (masquerade preparations) and Ogwu Oghugha (ritualistic cleansing), all aimed at spiritual purification and communal harmony.
Ndigwe urged all sons and daughters of Awka, youth groups, village unions, and stakeholders to begin preparations in earnest while maintaining the highest level of discipline and peace.
As preparations gather momentum, the announcement has already generated excitement among Awka indigenes, with many expressing readiness to contribute their quota towards a successful and spiritually enriching 2026 Egwu Imoka festival.
