Tension mounts as supporters of Monarch, PG clash in Anambra community

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Protesting Enugwu-Agidi people

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By Madu Obi

A clash between supporters of the traditional ruler of Enugwu Agidi, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, Igwe Michael Okekeuche and the President General of the community, Hon. Chukwuebuka Onuorah, has heightened tension in the area, forcing the cancellation of the Central Executive Council meeting of the town where strategic decisions would have been taken.

Trouble began when some chairmen of the village and abroad branches were allegedly beaten and denied entrance to the town's Civic Centre, the venue of the meeting, on the alleged directive of the PG, a development that led to protests by the youths and women in the area.

The PG had alleged that some people who were not delegates to the meeting, had infiltrated the venue, ostensibly to sack him, adding that he had earlier directed security operatives to allow people to attend the meeting upon obtaining appropriate clearance, which is proof of payment of appropriate dues.

Supporters of the two persons had alleged abuse of power, including refusal to follow constitutional provisions in adjudicating the town's affairs, land grabbing, brutalization, intimidation of villagers and high-handedness.

Some of the protesters, who clad in dark attires, demanded for dethronement of their traditional ruler, while others, comprising women and youths, called for the removal of the PG over alleged abuse of power.

Some of the placards displayed by supporters of the traditional ruler read: "Ebuka Onuorah must go", "Ebuka Onuorah uses police to intimidate us" and "Governor Chukwuma Soludo save us from Ebuka Onuorah,".

Those in support of the PG carried placards that read: "Ebuka Onuorah is our saviour", "The government of the day must continue", and"Igwe Okekeuche must go."

Comrade Emeka Ementa, who is the Awka branch chairman of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union, said that on spotting suspected thugs, he ran away because some of the youths told them that his name was penciled down for punishment.

"I heard that the PG created opposition groups across villages and branches and only those he appointed were allowed entrance to the venue for the meeting.

I represent both my village and Awka branch, but we were not allowed to be part of the meeting. They claimed that we were indebted to the union, but we actually paid all our dues, and I have forwarded the details to the security and the state government", Ementa said.

Also speaking, Hon. Mrs Grace Aghauche, leader of Etiti Village women wing, alleged that the PG organized an election to replace her in the month of June, instead of waiting for the month of December when they normally meet.

"Our election usually holds by December, but the PG organized the election by June. This is against our constitution. Again, women elections are not organized by men. We have submitted reports of this and others to the Anambra State Commissioner of Women Affairs," Aghauche added.

The villagers said they have petitioned Governor Chukwuma Soludo through the relevant Ministries and the State House of Assembly, pleading that he should be sacked for peace to reign.

But Mrs Nneka Offor exonerated Ebuka from the allegations, insisting that the PG was their saviour, while the monarch was the troublesome one.

"Ebuka is our leader. We love him. He doesn't engage in land grabbing. We want his government to continue. Igwe is the one causing trouble in our community and should be dethroned for peace to reign," she stated.

Lamenting the incident, the traditional ruler said: "We are witnessing what no community should ever endure: allegations of rampant land grabbing, abuse of power by those entrusted with leadership, disruption of sacred burial and funeral rites in Etiti Village, rites that bind us to our ancestors and the imposition of parallel leadership structures.

"These actions have brought confusion, provoked unrest, and pushed our peaceful community to the brink. We hereby call upon the Anambra State Government and all relevant security agencies to rise to their constitutional duty: to protect the lives and property of Enugwu-Agidi people, investigate the root causes of the unrest, and ensure that justice is served without fear or favour, and to support the Igwe-in-Council in restoring peace and unity.

We are not asking for favours. We are demanding intervention, protection, and fairness, for the sake of our land, our future, and our unborn generations. In line with the powers vested in him by Article 40, Sections 1 and 6 of the Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union Constitution, and in accordance with the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Law 2007, Section 15, Subsection (I)."

The PG, however, denied all the allegations leveled against him, describing the protest as politically motivated.

He said that he enjoys overwhelming support of the people of his community to continue to serve as the President General.