Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji, Eze Aro IX

Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji, born May 6, 1973, in Onitsha-Olona, Issele-Uku, Delta State, Nigeria, is a distinguished engineer, corporate executive, ordained pastor, and traditional monarch who currently serves as the Eze Aro IX of Arochukwu Kingdom, Abia State. His reign, beginning officially in January 2024, represents a significant milestone in the history of the Aro people, emerging after a complex succession battle marked by political, legal, and traditional confrontations.

Early Life and Education

Born into the prestigious Okennachi royal lineage of Arochukwu, Dr. Oji is the grandson of Mazi Kanu Oji, the legendary Eze Aro who reigned from 1914 to 1987. His parents, Rev. Prince Joshua Kanu Oji and Dr. Doris Ebere Oji, instilled in him strong Christian values and an unrelenting pursuit of excellence.

Eberechukwu excelled academically from an early age. After completing his secondary education at Emmanuel College, Owerri, he gained admission to Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) at just 14 years old, graduating with a Second Class Upper Division in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He furthered his studies abroad, obtaining multiple advanced degrees from top international universities.

Professional Career

Dr. Oji’s corporate career spans more than 25 years, primarily in the oil and gas sector. He began at NETCO, then transitioned to Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), where he rose rapidly to international executive ranks. Later, he became the Managing Director and CEO of ND Western Limited, overseeing major upstream and midstream operations across Nigeria, Europe, Asia, and North America. His strategic leadership solidified his reputation for transformative business growth.

Additionally, Dr. Oji is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (FNSE) and an ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), where he leads several congregations.

Ascension to the Throne

Following the demise of Eze Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro (Eze Aro VIII) in January 2021, the prestigious throne of Arochukwu became vacant. The Eze Aro stool is not merely symbolic; it represents the spiritual, cultural, and traditional leadership of the entire Aro Confederacy, making the succession highly consequential and sensitive.

In line with Aro customs, the responsibility for selecting the next Eze Aro fell to the Okennachi Kindred, from which the royal lineage is traditionally drawn. After months of consultations, screenings, and interviews, a panel of seven senior Aro elders conducted the final selection process. On October 18, 2023, Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji, a distinguished engineer and executive, emerged as the chosen candidate, having secured the majority of the panel’s votes.

However, the process did not proceed without resistance. Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei, another member of the Okennachi royal lineage, rejected the outcome, claiming that his own coronation had already occurred. On October 20, 2023, just two days after Dr. Oji’s selection, Mazi Idei was crowned in a parallel ceremony led by HRH Eze Dr. Kanu Nwa Kanu, the Eze Ibom Isii (traditional ruler of one of the six principal communities of Arochukwu). His coronation was conducted at the Ibom Isii Square, amidst traditional rites such as a seven-cannon gun salute, libations, and homage to key ancestral shrines.

The emergence of two claimants for the Eze Aro stool triggered a fierce leadership crisis in Arochukwu. While a faction of traditional rulers and community members rallied behind Mazi Idei, the majority of the Okennachi kindred, as well as prominent Aro socio-cultural groups, upheld the selection of Dr. Oji.

Recognizing the urgent need for an official resolution, the Abia State Government, under Governor Dr. Alex Otti, conducted a formal review of the documentation and processes surrounding the selection. After confirming the legitimacy of Dr. Oji’s emergence through the panel of seven elders, the government officially presented Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji with a Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office on January 13, 2024, at the Government House in Umuahia .

Governor Otti emphasized that the recognition followed “due process and the prevailing wishes of the majority of the kingmakers.” He also reiterated the government’s neutral role, asserting that the action was taken solely to uphold tradition and restore peace.

Despite the state’s recognition, the conflict escalated to the judiciary. In January 2024, Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei was arraigned at an Umuahia Magistrate Court on charges including impersonation, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and false claim to the Eze Aro stool. The legal case received widespread media attention, and although initially progressing, it was later adjourned sine die (indefinitely).

In a dramatic twist, in July 2024, the Abia State High Court sitting in Umuahia issued a ruling restraining Dr. Oji from parading himself as Eze Aro, based on a counter-application filed by Mazi Idei’s faction. This ruling plunged the throne into deeper controversy, leading the Abia government to file an appeal, arguing procedural lapses in the judgment .

The divided loyalties in Arochukwu Kingdom have since continued, with cultural events, council meetings, and external engagements sometimes featuring parallel representations from both Dr. Oji and Mazi Idei camps. Tensions between the two factions occasionally surface publicly, though there have been calls from elders and community leaders for peace and eventual reconciliation.

While no physical violence has been recorded, the psychological and communal impact of the dispute is palpable, with families, age grades, and even religious groups often split along the lines of support.

As of April 2025, the case remains pending at the appellate court, with both parties laying claim to the ancient and revered stool of the Eze Aro of Arochukwu.

Legal Battles and Community Impact

The succession dispute over the Eze Aro stool between Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji and Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei has spilled far beyond traditional channels into full-scale legal confrontation and public controversy.

Following the official recognition of Dr. Oji by Governor Alex Otti on January 13, 2024, the rival faction supporting Mazi Idei challenged the decision in court, alleging violations of traditional customs, procedural flaws, and political interference.

In response, the Abia State government and several Aro stakeholders maintained that Dr. Oji’s selection followed an authentic and legitimate process supervised by seven appointed elders from the Okennachi royal family. Governor Otti emphasized that the recognition was based purely on the recommendation of the majority of the kingmakers, without any political favoritism (Punch, January 18, 2024).

Despite this, on January 29, 2024, Mazi Idei was arraigned at the Umuahia Magistrate Court, charged with:

• Felony impersonation;
• Conduct likely to cause a breach of peace; and
• Attempting to unlawfully usurp a traditional office (Daily Post, February 3, 2024).

Mazi Idei pleaded not guilty. His defense team argued that his coronation had followed valid traditional rites under the auspices of HRH Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu (Eze Ibom Isii) and maintained that he had already been formally installed as Eze Aro IX prior to the government’s recognition of Dr. Oji.

The case was adjourned sine die (indefinitely) following preliminary hearings, reportedly due to political sensitivity and unresolved jurisdictional questions.

In a surprising development on July 22, 2024, the Abia State High Court issued a restraining order against Dr. Oji, barring him from parading as Eze Aro IX pending the determination of the substantive suit filed by Mazi Idei’s faction (Vanguard Nigeria, August 2024).

The court ruling was seen as a temporary victory for Mazi Idei. His supporters immediately celebrated, staging symbolic processions within parts of Arochukwu. Meanwhile, Dr. Oji’s camp filed an appeal, arguing that the selection and recognition were already concluded matters under the state’s Traditional Rulers Law (ThisDayLive, August 2024).

The Arochukwu Kingdom itself has remained deeply divided:

• Ibom Isii, led by HRH Eze Kanu Nwa Kanu, largely supports Mazi Idei.
• Amuvi, Ugwuakuma, Agbagwu, and parts of Ujari communities publicly endorse Dr. Oji.
• Some religious groups, like the Anglican Church, have alternated between neutrality and cautious acknowledgment of whichever Eze is present at functions.

The split has affected town union elections, cultural festivals, and development projects, with rival factions sometimes hosting separate events to honor their preferred Eze. In August 2024, two different “First Yam Festivals” were celebrated simultaneously under the banners of the two claimants (Hallmark News, 2024).

Notably, accusations also emerged on social media, with supporters of both camps engaging in character attacks, rumor-spreading, and allegations of political manipulation. Both Dr. Oji and Mazi Idei, however, publicly urged restraint and emphasized peaceful resolution.

Efforts at mediation by neutral bodies like the Aro National Congress (ANC) and elder statesmen are ongoing, with proposals for a traditional arbitration council to broker an agreement outside the courtroom.

As of April 2025, the situation remains unresolved. Both men continue to lay claim to the stool, though Dr. Oji retains formal state recognition, while Mazi Idei holds the moral and traditional endorsement from specific Aro communities.

The Eze Aro succession crisis—the most serious since the colonial era—has thus become a complex interplay of tradition, law, and politics, showcasing the tensions modern Igbo monarchies face in balancing ancestral customs with 21st-century realities.

Scandals, Controversies, and Legal Challenges

The selection dispute escalated in January 2024 when Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei was charged with felony and impersonation for unlawfully parading himself as Eze Aro. The case was widely reported in the media and politically exploited by the PDP to accuse Governor Otti of interference.

The controversy also sparked traditional debates: some elders argued whether Dr. Oji could be crowned while his father, Rev. Joshua Oji, was still alive, challenging customary succession norms.

Family and Personal Life

Dr. Oji is married to Nneoma Oji and is blessed with two children, Esther and Isaac. His immediate family’s record of achievements is impressive:

• His mother, Dr. Doris Oji, was a renowned educationist and former Permanent Secretary.
• His brother, Dr. Boris Oji, is an international physician and president of Zespronet, a Climate Change NGO.

The family’s roots are deeply intertwined with Aro history: their maternal grandfather, Emmanuel Oti, was a pioneer Christian missionary and educational reformer in Eastern Nigeria.

Political Engagement and Advocacy

At his coronation in July 2024, Eze Aro IX boldly called for true federalism and advocated for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained IPOB leader. His remarks highlighted his deep concern for Igbo self-determination, peace, and justice.

Associations with Other Prominent Igbo Figures

Though no direct feuds beyond the rivalry with Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei have been reported, Dr. Oji maintains influential networks among Igbo elites in the energy, business, and political sectors. His CSR initiatives mirror the values of iconic figures like Professor Mosobalaje Oyawoye, in whose honor he dedicated an ND Western-sponsored e-library at the University of Ibadan.

Conclusion

Dr. Eberechukwu Kanu Oji embodies a rare fusion of royalty, corporate excellence, religious devotion, and humanitarian service. Despite fierce opposition and legal battles, his ascension as Eze Aro IX reaffirms the Aro people’s enduring legacy. As he leads the ancient kingdom into a new era, his life story continues to inspire a generation across Igbo land and beyond.

References

• “Brief Profile of His Royal Majesty, Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei, Eze Arochukwu Kingdom.” Arochukwu Blog, October 24, 2023. https://arochukwublog.com/brief-profile-of-his-royal-majesty-mazi-godwin-kanu-idei-eze-arochukwu-kingdom/
• “Eze Aro: Kanu Idei’s Arraignment for Alleged Impersonation Adjourned Indefinitely.” Daily Post Nigeria, February 3, 2024. https://dailypost.ng/2024/02/03/eze-aro-kanu-ideis-arraignment-for-alleged-impersonation-adjourned-indefinitely/
• “Abia Court Restrains Eberechukwu Oji from Parading as Eze Aro.” Vanguard Nigeria, August 2024. https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/08/abia-court-restrains-eberechukwu-oji-from-parading-as-eze-aro/
• “Disquiet in Arochukwu Kingdom as Abia Moves to Appeal Court Order Voiding Monarch’s Coronation.” ThisDayLive, August 12, 2024. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/08/12/disquiet-in-arochukwu-kingdom-as-abia-moves-to-appeal-court-order-voiding-monarchs-coronation/
• “Controversies Trail Eze Arochukwu Stool, PDP Alleges Otti is Partisan.” Punch, January 18, 2024. https://punchng.com/controversies-trail-eze-arochukwu-stool-pdp-alleges-otti-is-partisan/
• “Abia Government Washes Hands off Arochukwu Ezeship Tussle.” Hallmark News, January 2024. https://hallmarknews.com/abia-govt-washes-her-hands-off-arochukwu-ezeship-tussle/
• “Eze Aro-In-Council Announces Crowning of Mazi Godwin Kanu Idei.” Arochukwu Blog, October 2023. https://arochukwublogg.blogspot.com/2023/10/eze-aro-in-council-announces-crowning.html

Views: 0