Human Interest
Stakeholders kick as Obiano installs monarch 24 hours after protest against him – ‘This is impunity’
– ‘This is impunity’
Barely 24 hours after the Oraukwu community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state protested to the Government House Awka, against the candidature of Dr Emeka Onuorah as the monarch of the area, the state governor Willie Obiano has installed him.
The governor issued him with a certificate of recognition on Thursday in a brief ceremony at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, near Awka, the state capital.
In a swift reaction, the Acting President-General of the community, Chief Harold Mbanusi, said the community would not recognize Onuorah as their monarch.
The community had on Wednesday temporarily halted activities at Government House, Awka, in a protest following a suspicion of an alleged imposition of Onuorah on them by government.
Carrying placards with different inscriptions, the community alleged that some government agents collected millions of naira from some money bags in the community to install an unpopular person on them.
Some of their placards read: “Anarchy looms in Oraukwu”, “Governor Obiano call your aides to order”,” APGA help us respect majority opinion in Oraukwu”, Greg Obi stop misrepresenting and misleading our governor”.
The leader of the community, Chief Harold Mbanusi said they were at the government house to stop government from foisting Onuorah on them as their monarch.
Mbanusi said that the community had held an election for the purpose of electing a monarch for the community, where Onuorah came distant third.
He said in the election, Chief Pius Okoye scored 535votes; Vincent Okechukwu scored 20 votes while Emeka Onuorah scored 15 votes.
He said with the election, Chief Okoye was crowned the traditional ruler of the community and presented to the local government area which affirmed him.
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They alleged that some moneybags in the community bribed a certain government official with N20 million to enthrone Onuorah.
They added that “The moneybags even said they would bankroll the governor’s election. We are here to tell the governor to save our community from this avoidable crisis.
The Chief of Staff to the governor, Prof Joe Asike had assured the protesters that the governor would look into their matter , stressing no injustice would be condoned by the Obiano government.
But at about 12 noon on Thursday, the governor issued a certificate of recognition to Onuorah in a brief ceremony that excluded the press.
When contacted, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Mr James Eze, said “the presence of journalists is not needed. I shall communicate to you the outcome of the event, if need be.”
