AROCHUKWU: THE DIVIDED HOUSE

AROCHUKWU: THE DIVIDED HOUSE
BY
PROF GIBSON F. OKORAFOR (FC1PM)
Our Jesus Christ in His infinite mercy made the following proclamation to the world, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand”. Matt. 12:25. The import of the above divine proclamation is very simple and that is “Unity is strength”. If we believe that Christ is with us and that Arochukwu is a recognized city of God, then the above should mean much to the Aros. It is very important to recognize this concept of unity of purpose among groups for the growth and development of such a group or community.
The concept of unity has never been alien to the Aros. Like most traditional Nigerian societies of old, polygamy was an accepted way of life in Arochukwu. Sometimes, a man had more than two wives and had children from each of the wives. But the beauty of the system was the existence of no squabbles or minor ones among the wives on who owns which child. All the children were treated equally by the wives as one’s children. Ofcourse, each wife took turns in managing the unified household. The household therefore developed as a single united entity. There was therefore nothing like Mgbafor’s, Mgbeke’s, Nnena’s children etc. The achievement of any child in the household was the household’s achievement. The household was never divided. Under this condition, the Aros of old were able to achieve what made them a special specie in Southeastern Nigeria. Uptill the late 1970s, economic and political discussions in the eastern part of Nigeria could never be fully concluded without the Aro voice. This position could never have been achieved without the united front of the Aros.
Today, the reverse is the case. Arochukwu is domiciled in an administrative enclave called Abia State. Unlike the days of old when the Aro voice and opinion were sought in critical issues by the then administrative managers of the former Eastern Nigeria, the Aros have no voice or opinion in the current Abia State. In actual sense, to the authorities in Umuahia, Abia State, Arochukwu is just one of these towns that make up the state and nothing more. The paramount ruler of Arochukwu is at the periphery of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers. Can this situation be obtainable in Calabar, Onitsha, Benin, Kano, Sokoto, Lagos etc. The chairman/person of Arochukwu Local Government is determined from Umuahia without the inputs of the Aros. Can this situation be obtained in areas of equal pedigree with the Aros? We need not go further on this but we believe that the Aros are the architects of their situation as a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Growth and development are anchored on the existence of requisite human capital and availability of other productive resources. In the contemporary world today, organizations strive their best to acquire highly qualified hands to steer their ships of development. We have heard and are aware of many football clubs who have been able to purchase the best footballers with the intent of winning the various trophies on contest. We are equally aware that the assemblage of the good players do not necessary translate to success. If it does, Nigeria with its assemblage of noted professional footballers and liquid cash would have been at least African Champions in the various African football competitions. But lo, the nation is currently the wiping baby in African football. One may then ask why has this been the case. The simple answer is that a house divided against itself can achieve nothing. If we transpose this to the current Arochukwu, we will see easily that the Aros have all manner of professionals making waves nationally and internationally in their chosen professions, but who are unable to positively rub their expertise on Arochukwu development. The simple reason for this is that a house divided against itself cannot stand the test of time
How are the Aros divided among themselves one may ask? It is a truism that the ancient Arochukwu was founded on a tripartite foundation viz the Okennachi’s; the Ibom Isii’s and the Eze Agwu’s. It is equally a truism that these three blocks had functioned as one indivisible entity like the Trinity of Christianity. The Aros of old had always presented themselves as a monolithic one without any sign of division. This must have accounted on why non Aros feared and respected the Aros. Today, the centre can nomore hold and there is nomore what may be termed the Arochukwu united front. It has now become very hard to have the three blocks that constitute Arochukwu to sit down together and take decision in the overall interest of Arochukwu. Issues are now viewed from parochial partisan basis. To worsen the situation, prominent Aro sons and daughters who should be bridge builders now side their kindred heads to assert superiority over other kindreds. Common election into the Nzuko Arochukwu which should normally be based on one’s ability to offer service to the community called Arochukwu is now carried out based on which kindred one comes from. Nigeria today swims in darkness because political and administrative positions are filled up on the basis of where one is from and not on the basis of competence of the individuals. Round pegs are then fitted into square holes and no positive results are ever achieved continuously. This is the affliction of the Aros.
Until the Aros come back to their senses, put their house in order, they will continue to be the foot-mat of the new generations of the political and administrative rulers in Abia State. If the three Eze in Arochukwu cannot work harmoniously with one another, their voice will never be taken serious by other traditional rulers in Abia State. If the Aro sons and daughters continue to see themselves from the kindred point of view, no project will ever be conceived and successfully executed in Arochukwu and hence no positive development in the town. Today is early for a change.