Do Nnewi Kingdom Have Traditional Rulers Before The White People Came?

Those who are vehement in their claim that Ala Igbo did not have rulers or monarchs before the coming of Ndi Ocha should kindly remove Nnewi from their claim.

Yes, to a large extent, most pre-colonial Igbo communities, clans and villages did not have any form of defined leadership. Hence, the saying, Igbo enwe Eze. This fluid leadership system necessitated the creation of Warrant Chiefs by the European invaders for their indirect system of native administration to be effective.

These Whiteman creations known as warrant chiefs in many cases later metamorphosed into Igwe, Eze of their villages. But this was not the case of Nnewi.

Nnewi was fast developing into a nation state with clear organs of government before the coming of Ndi Ocha to interrupt this evolution.

Pre 1904, before Major Morehouse entered Nnewi with his pacifist soldiers, the population of Nnewi was more than hundred thousand. Nnewi before this date, has a clear traditional parliament known as Agbalo Nnewi. This traditional parliament has an executive head, the Obi of Nnewi. Other key members of Agbalo Nnewi are the major quarter Isi Obis, the Isi Muos and respected Ndi Nzes. These were the noble MPs of Agbalo Nnewi.

It is at Agbalo Nnewi that laws and acts that affect the whole of Nnewi were made, reviewed and judged.

So, one can comfortably say that Agbalo was a judicial and legislative body. While the executive power of Nnewi state was fully vested in Obi of Nnewi.

Well, it is left for legal experts to say if this development satisfied the Montesqui theory of clear Separation of Powers.

For a modern state to be reckoned, it must have a government, population, clearly defined territory, sovereignty, laws and security. These are the major features of a state.

Fortunately, before the coming of colonialism, Nnewi has checked almost all these boxes. It’s only in terms of security which modern state defines as a standing policing system to maintain internal law and order. And, a standing army to defend the state from external aggression that Nnewi was found wanting in before their evolution into a full fledged modern state was interrupted.

It is on the above premise that I unequivocally state, it’s unfair to lump Nnewi with Igbo clans, villages and communities that are still in their infant period of state formation before the coming of the white invaders.

It is important to underscore the fact that when Morehouse arrived Nnewi, he was diplomatically debriefed of the unique status of Nnewi when he wanted to make Nwosu Ezeodumegwu a Warrant officer, to take charge of the administration of Nnewi. He was told that Nnewi has a ruler. He was shocked, why was he not brought to him. They told him he will be the one that will meet the Obi at his palace.

From the above historical event that can be verified, we can see that the palace of Igwe Nnewi was already in existence before the coming of White invaders. We can see that Ndi Nnewi knew they have a clearly defined leadership system. A dejure authority.

The White invaders later made some strong Nnewi men Warrant Officers, including Ezeodumegwu, Mkparu, Dim Ohachi, Ojukwu Ezeokigbo(grandfather of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu). However, these men’s job started and ended in Eme court, the white man’s court.

Their warrant officer status did not make them the Eze of their people. The natural leaders of nnewi remained the natural leaders of nnewi before and after the coming of the invaders.

From the above, it’s clear that Nnewi as a state is not the creation of the White man. Whether in terms of territory, Obiship, sovereignty or in terms of its advancement. In fact, Nnewi was hindered by colonialism. Because prior to colonial interruption all the surrounding villages where paying tributary to whomever was Obi Nnewi.

All things being equal, whomsoever is an Obi/Igwe Nnewi is supposed to be recognised as a first class king in Nigeria, because the institution prestigiously existed long before the coming of the White invaders.

I went into this lengthy historical exposition because I have noticed that a lot of misinformed people are making snide remarks whenever we revere Nnewi traditional stool. These mischief makers are claiming that there is nothing like Igwe Nnewi, that it’s a creation of the White man.

Well, for clarity sake, the word Igwe Nnewi came into Nnewi lexicon in the 80s. It was the whole of Ndi Nnewi in the 80s that decided to change the title from Obi Nnewi to Igwe Nnewi. However, Obi Nnewi as a title and office has existed since the Digbo dynasty, one of the children of the man Nnewi, inherited their father’s Obi.

So, if we Ndi Nnewi decide to address our Igwe as king save your breath. It is an old phenomenon. Although the kingship is not imperial or dictatorial. Nevertheless, it’s has long existed. Consequently, it will be unfair for us to deny our heritage because you lack such heritage.

I believe a word is enough for the wise. Dalu nu!

Long live Igwe Nnewi (King Orizu)!

Long live Ana Nnewi!

Long live Anaedo!

Written by:

Nze Tobe Osigwe(Eze Ikolommụọ)

Obi Eziokwu

Nkpọka Nnewichi, Nnewi