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•Govt: ‘No cause for alarm’
From Magnus Eze, Enugu
There is brewing crisis in Nkomoro Community, Ezza North Local Government, Ebonyi State, where the people alleged of attempts to foist a traditional ruler on them.
•Nkomoro people presenting communique
They have vowed to resist any form of imposition while warning against violence in the community in the ongoing tussle for the traditional stool of the area.
The people alleged that few indigenes of the area were behind the plot against the constitution of the community. They said such move was capable of plunging the community into crisis.
In a communique after their general meeting on May 16, 2024, and signed by Obiora Ezaka, Paulinus Okohu and Romanus Igwe, they insisted they must be allowed to democratically elect their traditional ruler in accordance with the constitution of the community:
“Pursuant to Article 3, 4 and 5 of the constitution of Nkomoro autonomous community, the Ezeogo cabinet substantively constituted as the highest leadership body in Nkomoro, presently shall liaise with the law-abiding executive members of Nkomoro Town Union to plan and initiate the procedures and democratically elect a new traditional ruler of the community in due time through a very fair and participatory process to ensure equality, equity, justice and freedom of choice to the indigenes and the protection of interest or the aspirations of all.
“That some conspirators who attempted to impose Ezeogo on Nkomoro community from their hideout in Abakaliki and further plunged the age-long peaceful Nkomoro in public disgrace and brigandage are immediately advised to render apology to the entire community and fulfill obligatory customs towards genuine reconciliation and peaceful reintegration into the community in order to purge themselves of stinking dint such sacrilege and abomination.
“We further urge all citizens of the community especially the imposters and power mongers to desist and eschew any manner of actions or plans that may occasion crisis in our land.”
The people had on May 7, 2024, marched the streets of Abakaliki, over alleged plot to instal a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Jacob Nwakpa, as their traditional ruler.
They urged Governor Francis Nwifuru and Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, to wade into the chieftaincy matter to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Prime Minister of the community, Livinus Eze, who was among leaders of the protesters alleged that internal and external forces were determined to foist Nwakpa on them: “We are hearing on radio that a traditional ruler has been chosen in our community and that he will be coronated on Saturday this week. This is why we are protesting against it. The right thing must be followed and that is what we want.
“We have not chosen our traditional ruler. We are still mourning our traditional ruler who died a year ago. We don’t want trouble. We want peace in Nkomoro community.”
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Uchenna Igwe, assured the protesters that their matter would be looked into. He noted that the present administration in the state was enthroning peace and reconciliation in all parts of the state and urged them to ensure peace in their agitation.
When contacted, Nwakpa said he was not the one pushing for himself to be the traditional ruler of the community but his people who approached him and begged him to be their king. He said the community was divided into two clans and that according to the constitution, the Nkomoro traditional stool must rotate among the two clans; Izzo and Oriuzor.
Nwakpa who was pioneer Chairman of the Council stated that Izzo has been producing traditional ruler of the community contrary to the constitution and leaving Oriuzor which he said made the stakeholders of the community to insist that Oriuzor must produce the next occupant of the stool.
