By Kamsi Anayo
The Oba community in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state has pleaded for Gov. Chukwuma Soludo intervention on the threat to peace after the death of late traditional ruler, Igwe Peter Ezenwa.
The late traditional ruler, the Ezeokpoko I of Oba, died five years ago after reigning for 40 years.
The appeal was made by the indigenes living in Spain, under the aegis of Oba Development Peace and Unity Forum (ODPUF) in a statement signed by Dr. Chukwudi Okoye and Chief Anthony Okonwko, the Chairman and Secretary respectively on Thursday.
The community is embroiled in crisis over the selection of a new traditional ruler (Ezeokpoko) which significant progress was made already.
The group stressed that any attempt by the government to intrude into the Ezeokpoko stool selection process will result in crisis in the town.
“We appeal to the governor to discourage any attempt of appointing a Caretaker Committee to run the town union, Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), which is handling the screening of the aspirants for the vacant Ezeokpoko stool.
“We reiterate that Oba is a town of peace blessed with human resources and are happy with what our Regent, Prince Noel Ezenwa and Dr Emelumadu’s led Oba Central Screening Committee are doing and we are working strictly with the constitution to give Oba the traditional ruler that fits into the shoes left behind by our late Igwe P.C Ezenwa.
“We therefore, urge the two aspirants troubling Oba community allow peace to reign as “All can’t be king at the same time.”
“The government should let Oba be by averting crisis that will result from imposition of an Interim Town Union Government on the community. Government should rather, encourage us to continue to live in peace and harmony.”
“We pass a vote of confidence on the Oba Central Screening Committee for the Ezeokpo stool, and its Chairman, Dr Emmanuel Emelumadu, for their honesty and hard work to ensure that the community gets fast and suitable replacement for its late monarch,” it stated.
It described as needless, any attempt to appoint a Caretaker government for the community town union leadership, saying that such a move is already brewing crisis in the serene town, known for its peaceful coexistence and good relationship with successive governments in the state.
They alleged that as a result of the state government attempt to foist an Interim Town Union Government (Caretaker Committee) whose over six members rejected their appointment, like the community did, peace has become fragile in the community.
“The Anambra State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, appointment of Interim Town Union Government, for OPU, which has been crisis-free, since its formation was to satisfy the interest of 15 unpatriotic individuals whose Igweship aspirants were among those disqualified by the Oba Central Screening Committee.
“We are abreast of the screening of Ezeokpoko II, aspirants and the performances of the aspirants, because it has been an open exercise covered by journalists in the state, with video clips and photographs, backed up with stories, which our people posted on the Oba community general WhatsApp Platform.
“And we can testify that the whole exercise carried out by Oba Central Screening Committee, was transparent, fair and just.
“We are surprised that what started as a rumour, became a real that the Caretaker Chairperson of Idemili South Local Government Headquarters at Ojoto, inaugurated the Caretaker Committee for OPU, that was to be headed by Sir Osita Ubadi, which the community rejected.
“Oba community cannot have an interested party in the selection of aspirant for Ezeokpoko stool, as OPU leadership cannot and will never be for settlement of political party members.
“Oba town, is above partisan politics, and cannot mix the selection for the replacement of its revered late traditional ruler with party politics.
“We in unison agreed that following the death of Igwe P.C Ezenwa, five years ago, his son Prince Noel Ezenwa, emerged as the Regent of Oba town from a keenly contested election pending the election of the new Ezeokpoko.
“We are equally aware that two years into his reign, as Regent of Oba, he called for the election of the new Ezeokpoko, in strict compliance with the Constitution on how to select the new Igwe, or Ezeokpoko II amongst the villages concerned. This resulted in ten people picking the forms to contest, thereby, dispelling the rumour that the Regent wanted to remain in office.
“We are shocked that what started peacefully with an oath before the Commissioner for Oath at Ogidi, to abide by the outcome of the screening amongst the aspirants for the Ezeokpoko II Stool, turn to political campaign with a lot of intrigues, intimidation, suppression and campaign of calumny without adherence to the Constitution which if strictly applied during the village screening, would have created some element of sanity and made the job of the Oba Central Screening Committee, easier..