By Ovat Abeng
The Regent of Nri Kingdom, in Anoicha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Prince Ikenna Onyesoh, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure adequate security in South East region, ahead of the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.
Onyesoh, said deployment of enough security personnel in the region remains the only umbrella that will quarantee an average easterner to come out on the day of voting to exercise he/her civil responsibility.
The called was contained in his address presented during the 1027 Iguaro Ndigbo (proclamation of Igbo New yam 2026AD) celebration, held at his Nri palace, on Monday.
The Regent promised to support the success of the elections through prayers.
Speaking on the celebration, Prince Onyesoh stated that One Thousand and Twenty-seven (1027) years ago, system of counting the year (Aro) was divinely revealed to Eze Nri by Chukwuabiama, and up until today, Nri is still counting the year with its originating shrine in Ancient Nri Kingdom.
According to him,after serious purifications, consultations, ritualisation and sanctifications with Nri Astrologians and diviners, he, the Regent of Nri Kingdom on behalf of His Royal Majesty,Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh (Nrienwelana 11), proclaimed to the Igbo nation the beginning of new happy Year.
He further stated that during Iguaro festival,Eze Nri distributes seedlings of yams to Ndigbo and declare farming season and forecasts that approximately within four days but certainly not more than three weeks (Izu Ano), there will be rainfall to usher in the planting season.
“If you are conversant with Nri culture,you will recall that recently in 2020,2021,2022 to 2025, the predictions were made and they came to pass and hopefully that of 2026 will be the same. Seed yams so distributed will mature in September and the first harvest of the yam will be brought back to Eze Nri palace for thanksgiving (Ilommuo)”, Prince Onyesoh emphasized.
He used the occasion to warn the public and corporate organizations to be weary of those who come to them in the name of Iguaro, stating that they look like sheep but inside them are ravenous wolves. He emphatically stated that it is only in Nri Ancient Kingdom that Iguaro is domiciled.
He made it clear that Nri is shaped by history but not in history, noting that Act of Iguaro is never Idol worshiping but aged long revered Igbo culture under the custody of Eze Nri, which is thanking God for preservation of life in the past year, and pleading with him for good health, economy, protection and bountiful harvest in the New Year.
He urged Ndigbo to rise up and protect their ancestral homeland and sacred kingship institution from the roaring invaders who were all out to exchange their identity with money.
As the preparations for his great return is drawing closer, Prince Ikenna Onyesoh enjoined every sons and daughters of Nri Ancient Kingdom to strictly adhere to the process without bitterness or rancour, warning that defaulting carries its consequences, especially to the offenders.
“As the 2027 general elections are by the corner, I called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led-Federal government to step up more security to enable the citizens have hitch-free elections.
He also used the event to appreciate the state governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo for the construction of Agbanabo road and reconstruction of Enugwu-Ukwu-Nri-Agulu road, and for the rapid growth of economy and increased security in Anambra State.
