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Each autonomous community has a
traditional head, the Eze, that has been identified, selected, appointed
and installed by the people according to their own tradition and
presented to the government for recognition.
Selection may be hereditary, elective
or rotatory. For such an Eze to be recognised, the local government
chairman has to endorse the documents presented to him by the Eze before
sending the documents to the governor for recognition. The Eze also has
to be presented by the autonomous community at an appointed date and
time to the governor or his representative, for recognition.
The government also appoints one
Eze from each autonomous community. An election is usually conducted
amongst recognised Ndi Ezes for each local government to select members
to serve at the council of Ndi Eze at the state level.
About half of the members of the
council are selected while half are appointed. Every member of the
council of Ndi Eze is required to serve for three years unless prevented
from doing so by death or resignation. The council of Ndi Eze in Abia
State is made up of 36 Ezes with one chairman and two deputy chairmen. |