Isuaniocha community protests against new monarch, urges Soludo to revoke certificate
Community Matters
By Ifeizu Joe
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 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 he was not the choice of the community, but an imposition by a few elements in the community.
The protesters wielded placards with inscription s 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 few individuals to come and stand as electorates. The stakeholders did not even know about it, he ignored the governors directive for his own personal reasons.
“Chikodi Anara who sold our land has been doing everything possible to subdue every evidence, that is why they connived to present someone to the governor as our Igwe. We don’t accept that move. All we want now is peace.
Women and aged people also turned out in their numbers for the protest, calling on the state governor to stay action on matters concerning traditional ruler until the community achieves 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 government would look into their grievances and protest letter, and take necessary action within one week.
He said: 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 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 government did not keep it’s promise within the one week stated.
