Reports

How Obiano’s Admin Stokes Ojoto Chieftaincy Crisis In Anambra

Published

8 years ago

May 24, 2017

*Army, police used to clampdown on citizens

The crisis currently rocking the Ojoto community, the Idemili South council headquarters of Anambra state over who occupies the royal stool appear to have taken dangerous dimension.

This is coming as security operatives were allegedly used during the weekend to clampdown on elders, youth and leadership of the community.

The Regend-In-Council declined support of Igwe-elect, Chief Dennis Okafor who was selected and presented a week ago.

More so, it was also revealed that some compromised top officials of the Governor Obiano-led Anambra state government especially from the Ministry of Local Government, Town Union and Chieftaincy Affairs have perfected clandestine plans to move against the leadership of the Ojoto Development Union led by Engr Edwin Umeghalu.

This was said to be with a view to setting aside and suspending the executives in order to foist a hatchet Caretaker executive that would do the bidding of certain interests in the whole Chieftaincy saga.

Our investigations accused an unnamed cabal within the Awka Government House of stoking strife and tension in the community and in as many as more than one hundred and twenty five (125) other communities in the state.

Because while the Engr Edwin Umeghalu-led Town Union executive insisted it followed the subsisting Ojoto Town Constitution process in the selection and presentation of Chief Dennis Okafor as the town’s new monarch to replace the late HRH Igwe Augustine Obidiwe who joined his ancestors about two years ago, the group led by the Regent, Chief Gerrard Mbamalu said no such selection or presentation process has taken place.

So, rising from its well-attended meeting of palace Chiefs comprised principally of middle-aged young men and hosted by Mbamalu yesterday, one of the illustrious sons of the community, Senator Annie Okonkwo said that whatever anyone may have done in the guise of selection and presentation of anyone as the Igwe-designate would not stand.

That the process must be openly conducted and announced to the admiration of all.

According to him, “The new Igwe must be someone very acceptable to all citizens…”, Senator Okonkwo declared, just as he vouched the unalloyed support of the community to the state government under Obiano.

Engr. Umeghalu was speaking earlier in the week shortly after an emergency General Meeting of Ojoto held at the Town Hall, during which they endorsed Gov Obiano’s reelection bid.

He noted that despite the active role Ojoto community had been playing in the state’s polity, not much attention has come from successive administrations in the state, until the present administration, that Obiano has shown them a deep sense of belonging.

The community chief observed that Obiano has performed excellently and therefore deserves reelection to enable him complete all the laudable programmes he’s doing.

The Igwe-elect, Okafor who was presented publicly earlier that the day at the hall, identified the entrenchment of adequate security by the Obiano administration as a milestone which he observed had boosted economic activities as well as reclaimed the state’s battered image before local and foreign investors.

It was his belief that when the numerous investments currently springing up in Anambra commence full operations, the positive impact would be massive and impactful in the areas of job and wealth creation.

He assured people of Ojoto that their trust in Governor Obiano is not misplaced, as according to him, the governor has all it takes to steer the state to enviable heights considering his outstanding background in human and material resources management.

A former President General of the community, Chief Dan Ilonze, in his remarks stated that it will be foolhardy for any Ojoto son or daughter not to support Obiano who has shown in visible interest in their community.

Hence, the need to take the campaign to all nooks and crannies to ensure landslide victory for the governor’s All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)in the November 18,2017 gubernatorial poll.

A Consultant on Community Development, and son of Ojoto, Dr Theo Ejikeme told reporters that the feuding two opposing camps need to close ranks and jettison their differences in the interest of the masses and general good of the community.

He saw the disagreement as mere ego trip by the dramatic personae which does not augur well for the people and Obiano, irrespective of the seeming camouflage.

He cautioned that a situation where there were pending issues in many other communities was a clear pointer that the governor’s aides have been perverting justice all over the state and should be sacked forthwith.

Dr Ejikeme frowned at the reported massive arrest of mainly elderly indigenes, youth and other prominent persons who had identified with the enthronement of Okafor as Igwe-elect, over the weekend. To him, each citizen was entitled to his/her unfettered freedom of association.

By Chuks Collins, Awka

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