The people of Mbaocha Autonomous Community, in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia state, have presented Chief Rex Ohaeri as the next traditional ruler to take over the Mbaocha stoolship after five years.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the presentation, chief Ohaeri expressed appreciation to God and to his people for finding him worthy to mount the ancestral stool of Mbaocha after the demise of the late Eze Ohaeri who he coincidentally shares the same name with, five years ago
As a professional Architect,chief Ohaeri promised to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to bare by introducing strategies that would advance the community positively.
Among other things, chief Ohaeri said when he is installed as the traditional ruler, he would ensure peace is maintained across the various clans that make up the Mbaocha community, adding that the issue of crime, cultism, drug abuse among youths of the area would properly be addressed.
He revealed that though his selection as the next Eze was not free of rancour, as some clans were agitating to be the rightful people to produce the Eze.
Chief Ohaeri hinted that the Mbaocha stoolship is rotational, as it is now the turn of Umuohu to produce the king after Ohokobe.
Note that the Mbaocha community is made up of Ohokobe, Umuohu, Umuafai and Umueziala, all in Ndume, Ibeku ancient kingdom.
Chief Ohaeri assured his people of infrastructural development, unity among the various villages and peaceful coexistence, pleading for their support to achieve his aim.
The President General of Mbaocha Autonomous Community, Hon John Orji, thanked God for the peaceful presentation of Chief Ohaeri to the general Mbaocha, stating that though some groups wanted to cause chaos over the choice of Chief Ohaeri but God took over the situation.
Hon Orji said apart from few agitations in some quarters, everyone was happy over the selection of Chief Ohaeri to take over the Mbaocha stool, which he said was visible in the crowd that turned out for the occasion.
While urging the people of the community to maintain calmness and avoid any form of litigation against the new Eze-elect, advised him,to fight for the unity of Mbaocha community, as well as carry everyone along in his reign.
The chairman of Umuakpu Umuohu Mbaocha community, the ancestral home of the new Eze-elect, Elder Ebere Ukpechi, said he is happy over the presentation,as the Mbaocha community has been without a king for a long time.
Elder Ukpechi revealed that the new Eze-elect, chief Ohaeri, would bring the needed peace and progress to Mbaocha land.
He pointed out that the three villages that made up Umuohu namely, Umuakpu, Ahabaocha and Ahabaoji came together to choose chief Ohaeri because of his qualities.
He expressed confidence in chief Ohaeri, urging others to give him their full support.
