The people of Isuaniocha Community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State have rejected the newly-installed traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Mkpuorah Ngini.
Igwe Ngini was last week issued a certificate of recognition by Governor Chukwuma Soludo as the traditional ruler of the community.
But indigenes of the community, in a peaceful protest to the Anambra State Government House, Awka, on Wednesday, said Ngini was not the choice of the people, but an imposition by a few elements in the community.
The protesters wielded placards with inscriptions such as: “Igweship election was conducted under crisis and confusion;” “We reject Mkpuorah Ngini as traditional ruler;” “Ngini family cannot dictate for Isuaniocha, Chikodi Anara,” “Igbakigba leave Isuaniocha alone;” “Isuaniocha need peace, not war;” among several others.
The protesters, who chanted solidarity songs at the gate of the government house, were led by the president-general of the community, Mr Fredrick Chukwuma Egwunwa.
Egwunwa, while narrating the grouses of the protesters to government officials, said: “The government of Governor Soludo said earlier that there will be no election in communities that have crises and Isuaniocha is one of such, but Tony Nwabunwanne, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, went ahead to conduct a shabby election.
“They coerced a few individuals to come and stand as electorates. The stakeholders did not even know about it, he ignored the governor’s directive for his own personal reasons.
“Chikodi Anara, who sold our land, has been doing everything possible to subdue every piece of evidence, that is why they conspired to present someone to the governor as our Igwe. We don’t accept that move. All we want now is peace.”
The protesters were received by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr Fidelis Nnazor.
Nnazor assured the protesters that the government would look into their grievances and protest letter, and take necessary action within one week.
He said: The government will set up a committee immediately to look into the Isuaniocha matter with a view to resolving it and bringing peace back to the town to enable the Soludo administration to carry-on his developmental projects in all parts of the state without any hindrance.”
The protesters later submitted their position letter to the government, but noted that they would not hesitate to return if the government did not keep it’s promise within the one week stated.
Anambra community rejects new monarch, urges Soludo to revoke certificate
