Ohafia Monarchs Void Youths’ “Persona Non Grata” Declaration Against Senator Orji Uzor Kalu

|By Adejumo Adekunle

The Udumeze Ohafia Ancient Kingdom and the Council of Ohafia Monarchs have annulled a proclamation by the Ohafia Youths Association Inc. (OYA) that declared Senator Orji Uzor Kalu persona non grata in Ohafia communities.

The monarchs’ council moved swiftly to calm tensions after the youth group, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Obasi Kalu Obasi, and Secretary, Onyekachi Uduma, warned the Abia North lawmaker against visiting Ohafia. The youths alleged that Senator Kalu made remarks they considered injurious to the name and interests of the Ohafia people, among other claims.

However, the Udumeze Ohafia in-Council faulted the declaration, insisting that the action contravened the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), particularly Sections 39 and 40, which guarantee citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of movement.

In a statement issued by Imo Ukwa Imo, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Udumeze Ohafia in-Council, the monarchs said the proclamation raised serious constitutional and communal concerns.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 39 and 40, guarantees, among other rights, freedom of movement to its citizens,” the statement read.

It added that the Udumeze Ohafia Ancient Kingdom and the Council of Ohafia Monarchs, as custodians of the Ohafia people at home and in the diaspora, strongly condemned the youths’ action, describing it as obstructive and unconstitutional.

“Such action is contrary to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and is therefore declared null and void,” the council stated.

Ohafia serves as the headquarters of the Abia North Senatorial District, which Senator Kalu represents in the National Assembly.